After the Budget retained protection for the green belt, Theresa Villiers has welcomed the Government’s continuing commitment on this issue.
Speaking after publication of the Budget, Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, said: “In the run-up to the Budget there were several news stories about the Chancellor giving consideration to diluting protection for the green belt. I made my opposition to this clear and I also received an assurance from the Prime Minister at Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament.”
“I therefore welcome the fact that there has been no move in the Budget to water down of green belt rules. We need new homes but not on the green belt. Instead, the Government has announced a substantial increase in the funding for new homes, taking the total to £44 billion, including support for improvements to infrastructure to enable new development to go ahead in appropriate places. Expanding infrastructure capacity is important where new homes are planned so that they do not cause unnecessary disruption to existing residents.”
“I also welcome the fact that radical expansion of permitted development rights, also trailed as a possible new measure in the Budget, has been rejected. There were reports that people would be given the right to add several floors to the top of a building without planning permission. I lobbied against that and it is good news that it is not going ahead.”
“This is a sensible Budget which responds to key concerns, with more money for the NHS, reduced waiting times for people moving on to Universal Credit, and help for small local businesses with business rates.”
“I very much welcome fresh moves to crack down on abusive tax avoidance and evasion by large companies. This will build on the important work already underway by the Government to ensure everyone pays their fair share of taxes.”
“I know that many constituents will also be relieved that fuel duty has been frozen again. This is the eighth year this has happened – the longest freeze in modern history”.