Stourbridge MP, Suzanne Webb has spoken out in support of Rishi Sunak after he delivered, what she called, a 'brilliant Spring Statement'.

The Chancellor laid out his plans in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon as the country sits on the brink of an energy crisis. The Budget watchdog has said that, despite the Statement cutting some taxes, Brits will face the worst drop in disposable incomes next year since records began nearly 70 years ago.

However a number of Conservative MP's, including Ms Webb, have spoken in support of the measures that were laid out, arguing that Sunak's decisions were a positive step to helping people in the Black Country. Suzanne said:

"People on middle and lower incomes are hundreds of pounds a year better off thanks to the Chancellor at a time when it is much needed as we face a cost-of-living challenge.

"I have to say I think the equalising of National Insurance and income tax allowances was inspired and will really help hard working people across Stourbridge and the West Midlands.

"I accept that no Chancellor can fully tackle the very unwelcome hat-trick of Covid, global supply cost issues and war that is causing all these inflationary pressures, however I think Rishi Sunak came close.

"The 5p cut in fuel duty for 12 months will really help the transport industry as well as the public. The Household Support Fund doubling to £1 billion is sensible, targeted help for those in real need. And we mustn't forget the £9 billion of support to help households with gas and electricity rises already in place.

"But it is really important we also acknowledge that next year this country’s interest payments will top £83 billion. The choice here is stark. Either we act responsibly to balance the books and keep to the fiscal rules while helping the vulnerable or we borrow more and beggar the country in the years to come.

"I support the former every time. The added bonus is that, once we have done this, a fully costed 1p cut in income tax awaits us. This was a brilliant spring statement."

The vote of confidence is in stark contrast to wider public criticism after Sunak appeared on BBC Breakfast and was asked which food he noticed was rising in price in the supermarket as inflation looks set to near 9% this year. His response was that it was probably bread, adding:

"The one we buy I’m sure is now about £1.20 and it was about £1, from memory. It’s a Hovis kind of seeded thing. We have a whole range of different breads in my house, a degree of healthiness between my wife, myself and my kids.”

It comes a day after Iceland CEO, Malcolm Walker, said food bank users are “declining potatoes and root veg because they can't afford the energy to boil them."