KATE OSBORNE: Forget the noise, this Budget is a winner

​This Saturday is Small Business Saturday, our annual celebration is an opportunity for us all to come together and support the fantastic independent shops, traders, and family businesses that make up the backbone of our local economy.

Over the past week, I’ve spent time visiting a number of brilliant businesses and community organisations across the constituency, and I’ve been reminded once again of the energy and community spirit that small businesses bring to our area. From family-run pet shops to vibrant Christmas markets, these businesses give our towns their character and personality, and they deserve our backing more than ever, especially after several difficult years navigating the pandemic and rising costs.

Last Sunday I visited the Christmas stalls at Jarrow Hall, which were buzzing with activity and full of creative local traders selling handmade gifts, festive treats, and beautiful crafts. Jarrow Hall continues to be a cultural gem for our community, and events like these show what can be achieved when small businesses have the space to thrive and connect with residents.

I also stopped by the North East Pet Shop in Hebburn and Garden Feathers in Boldon Colliery, two local businesses that many families rely on throughout the year. It was clear how important the personal, friendly service of small businesses is to people, especially at a time when household budgets are stretched. These businesses not only provide essential goods; they provide jobs, stability, and community connections.

This weekend, I encourage everyone, if you are able, to consider doing as much of your Christmas shopping locally as possible. Every pound spent with a small business helps support local jobs and keep money in our region. Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to shine a light on these businesses, but our support for them should extend far beyond one day. These shops, cafés, and traders rely on our custom all year round, and I am proud to champion their fantastic contribution to our local economy.

Alongside these visits, I also joined the team at Tesco to support their Winter Food Collection. I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who donated and to the volunteers from FareShare and the Trussell Trust who support foodbanks and community groups across South Tyneside. As always, I am deeply grateful for the compassion, hard work, and dedication shown by volunteers who give their time to support our communities.

This week, I've also been talking to constituents about the positive impact last week’s Budget will have for our consistency.

Despite all the noise, if you look at the details, the budget brought some really important wins for our region after years of campaigning from MPs, including myself, who have consistently pressed for our communities to be put first.

One of the most significant and long overdue changes is the decision to scrap the cruel two-child benefit limit.

This subject is widely misunderstood and hyped up by the media and others who deliberately distort the truth.

This will benefit 2,610 children in our constituency and 350,000 nationwide.

The majority of families who are affected by the two-child cap are working families and of course it is ridiculous to suggest people will plan to have another child because of welfare rules.

As well as being morally the right thing to do to lift kids out of poverty, it saves money overall when you look at the long-term costs of child poverty, on poor health, on local services and economic contributions.

This is life-changing for many families who have been pushed to the brink by years of rising costs. The removal of this punitive policy is something so many campaigners have fought tirelessly for, and it is right that this injustice has at long last been addressed.

Another huge win for local people was the release of £2.3 billion for the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme’s miners’ pension, following the campaigning I and others have undertaken, including our meeting with the Chancellor the night before the Budget. This decision will finally put money back into the pockets of hundreds of BCSSS members in our constituency. This is a major step forward for former miners and their families, who had been denied this money for years.

Increases to the National Living Wage, and a freeze on rail and bus fare caps all put money back in people's pockets.

This weekend, for Small Business Saturday, I hope you’ll join me in backing the brilliant local independent shops, traders, and community groups. If you run a small business and would like me to visit in the future, please do get in touch.