As the country prepares for an era of higher taxes to provide continued support for public services and the vulnerable, there was a mixed reaction from Suffolk politicians to Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Budget.
Most earners will end up paying more tax over the next few years with the freezing of allowances - but it is high earners who will end up with the biggest burden following the lowering of the 45p tax threshold to just over £125,000 from £150,000.
But the news that the triple lock on pensions - guaranteeing they would rise in line with inflation - and the increase in the National Living Wage offered some respite to those on a lower income.
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge is also a Treasury Minister who worked with Mr Hunt on the budget.
He said: “Around the world countries are grappling with high inflation, driven by the pandemic and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which is eating into people’s incomes.
"Our Autumn Statement outlines a plan to tackle inflation by prioritising economic stability and bringing debt down in the medium term, whilst protecting the most vulnerable from the worse of the price rises.
"We’re also still delivering on levelling up which is why today we have announced a new devolution deal that will mean extra financial resources for Suffolk, giving our county greater power to drive growth and tackle local challenges.”
Ipswich Conservative MP Tom Hunt described it as a sombre budget - but felt the Chancellor did the best he could under difficult circumstances.
He said: "As a Conservative, I don't want to see taxes go up and I hope they can come down again as soon as possible.
"So from that point of view it was quite a sombre budget - but I think it was the best we could have given all the problems there are.
"I was pleased to hear about the levelling up grants - and about the money going to the NHS and education. Education is a particular interest of mine."
And he was pleased to hear about support for those on low incomes and who relied on state pensions.
He feared there would not be a quick end to the Ukraine war or the problems of energy supplies, and was pleased the Chancellor signalled the go-ahead for Sizewell C which could bring thousands of jobs to Suffolk and the Ipswich area.
His Labour opponent at the next election Jack Abbott was not so enthusiastic.
He said: “Ipswich and our country has so much potential, but the Conservative’s economic crisis is holding us back.
“After today, people in Ipswich will be asking themselves: ‘am I and my family better off with the Conservatives?’ The answer is no."
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