Ely and East Cambridgeshire MP hoping for 'light at end of tunnel' from Government

The Prime Minister has warned of a "painful" October Budget

Charlotte Cane, MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire
Author: Dan MasonPublished 2nd Sep 2024

A recently-elected MP in Cambridgeshire feels her community is ready to take the rough with the smooth.

Parliament returns today after a summer break, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer last week warning of a "painful" Budget to come next month.

In a speech from Downing Street last week, Sir Keir said he'll "make big asks of you to accept short-term pain for long-term good."

The message comes as the Labour leader referred to a ÂŁ22 billion "black hole" in public finances left by the previous Conservative Government.

"We will find ways to make it work"

MP Charlotte Cane, of the Liberal Democrats, represents Ely and East Cambridgeshire.

She's been understanding the work of different organisations during the summer recess, and believes local communities will work together.

Ms Cane has also outlined some areas she's keen to address to the Government.

"People round here are quite resilient, so I think whatever gets thrown at us as a community, we will find ways to make it work," she said.

"A lot of people are still raising concerns about healthcare, lack of dentists, so I think addressing healthcare remains a big one for people.

"People switch off from politics if they don't have trust in it; we'll start to see the real details of the Bills they're bringing forward and that will help us see what the light at the end of the tunnel looks like."

In its 'Dentistry Rescue Plan', Labour said it will look to create an extra 700,000 urgent and emergency dental appointments a year.

Fear for pensioners

The Government plans to introduces a means test for those wishing to apply for winter fuel payments scheme, which includes a 243-question form.

Labour said the move is down to the ÂŁ22bn deficit in public finances that it's inherited from the previous Tory leadership.

Ms Cane said: "I am worried there will be a significant number of pensioners who need help and aren't going to get it, and we will be pushing the Government to reconsider that because it was a very unexpected and worrying decision."

Sir Keir has said means-testing for winter fuel payments will "protect the most vulnerable pensioners".

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.