The Yorkshire Post reports that the Spring Statement signified a “blow for rural businesses”, Ministers have been warned, with “insufficient support for the rural economy and hospitality businesses”

Cuts in fuel duty and an increase in the National Insurance threshold were included in the package, but Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP (Con) was accused of doing “little to help rural households facing the most difficulty”.

Critics stated that the failure to keep VAT at 12.5% for hospitality businesses will have a sizable impact on profitability at an already testing time for many, highlighting that “this is a blow for rural businesses that are being asked to diversify, and the reduction in business rates will not plug this gap.”

Additionally, the cut in fuel duty has been condemned for not making a “real world difference”.

Nonetheless, one of the measures announced was the removal of VAT on green home improvements such as the installation of solar panels or a heat pump.

The Country Land and Business Association said this would be hugely beneficial to people looking to decarbonise their homes, they still wanted to see more from the Chancellor.

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The Yorkshire Post - Spring Statement 'blow for rural businesses' with calls for more support