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Budget 2020: How will coronavirus crisis spending plan affect Kent

By: Paul Francis pfrancis@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 16:36, 11 March 2020

Updated: 17:43, 11 March 2020

It was a budget that was dominated by the coronavirus crisis but had plenty of other spending commitments. Political editor Paul Francis has a look at what it means for Kent.

Fuel duty has been frozen

Freeze on fuel duty

"Rishi is hailed with a huge sigh of relief, by our 1.7 million supporters, motorists, motorcyclists, van drivers and hauliers. But to all the anti-internal combustion engine over-reported voices, even with this freeze, UK drivers remain the highest taxed in the world."

That's Howard Cox of the Fair Fuel Campaign's take.

Paul’s verdict: A no-brainer decision; especially with Kent backbenchers Tracey Crouch and Craig Mackinlay among those firing a warning shot not to lift the freeze.

Seven people in Kent have been diagnosed with coronavirus

A £30bn fiscal fund to help businesses through the 'corona crisis'

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“Business will be keen to know how this will be funded. Will it come from the additional £4.4 billion HMRC will be seeking from tax anti avoidance in the future? With such significant spending on the corona crisis along with the ‘levelling up’ pledges from the manifesto there must be a claw-back somewhere?” — Nick Paterno, managing partner at Maidstone’s McBrides Chartered Accountants.

Paul’s verdict: A bigger slice of money than might have been expected; small businesses in Kent should be encouraged by schemes for business rate relief and access to emergency loans.

A £5bn emergency response fund for the NHS to deal with coronavirus

Paul’s verdict: Sounds a lot but will it go far enough if the crisis is prolonged and we move to an epidemic with the number of people unable to work potentially stretching hospitals and GPs to their limits?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak

A £6bn injection in the NHS to fund 40 ‘new’ hospitals

Paul’s verdict: After the controversy during the election campaign over Conservative pledges for a new hospital for Canterbury, this might offer a glimmer of hope to those who are pushing for a new “blue light” A&E hospital.

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils.

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