The Newark Advertiser found out what people think should be the Labour Government Autumn Budget priorities

As the Labour government is to announce its first Autumn Budget we found out what people think should be their priorities.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver the department’s spending plans for the rest of 2024/25 and 2025/26 will be set in the first part of the ‘Spending Review’ process.

Ahead of the government’s announcement, answers varied across the market town, from the NHS and pensioners to minimum wage.

“The first that needs to be on their mind is obviously the NHS and immigration,” said Andy Thorpe.

Jim Baxton said: “Although I wanted to vote Labour in the election I voted Conservative, the reason is because we have got a great conservative member of Parliament, Robert Jenrick and he has looked after this town the best that he can, all towns are in trouble.

“The government should look after the elderly a little bit more because we seem to be getting kicked from every direction at the minute.”

Kim Robertson said: “I’d say the elderly first and the NHS.

“I just think we got the wrong man in there, to be honest, I think the country is just going down and down and down.

“It is just getting absolutely ridiculous, people are working hard and getting no further on with their lives.

“Elderly people are just left on the shelf, they are taking everything away from them.”

Ruth Austin said: “They should sort the NHS out and put more police on the streets walking.

“Mainly the national health service needs a big boost in several ways.”

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will publish revised forecasts for the economy and public finances on the same day as the Budget statement.

Alongside it, the chancellor will announce the government’s new fiscal rules, reveal changes to the tax system, and set a new path for spending on public services and broader capital investment.

Simon Burgess said: “They should increase the minimum wage, that is on the top for me.”

Olga said: “They should just get off, I am not interested in Labour, who are talking about horrible things.”

Christine Hill said: “I think without a doubt they should fix the NHS, it is in a bit of a sorry mess but I have got to say that I have experienced it recently, both dental and medical and I have been really well satisfied so I can’t complain.”

Julie Manning said: “To sort out the heating payments for pensioners.”

Christine said: “Immigrations, I don’t think enough is being done about it. There are too many immigrants coming over so I think they should enforce the laws around it.”

Colin Forsyth said: “I think they should be concentrating on the NHS system and sorting the criminal justice system.”

Alex said: “They need to stop picking on pensioners and the ones who can’t afford to live and need to start picking on the working class who can’t afford to live.

“They need to stop giving train drivers massive pay raises and instead replace it with people who do the job way cheaper.

“It’s far too much money being given to people just because they are members of unions and unions pay for the Labour party.”

Marie Baxton said: “I was born in 58, so my state pension was altered by six years.

“I think they should look at that, because at the moment, with them doing the winter fuel payment as well, there's a lot of people who are really struggling.”