The MP for York Outer has broadly welcomed the measures outlined by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her spring statement this afternoon (Wednesday).
Labour’s Luke Charters said he was pleased the measures outlined by Ms Reeves prioritised security, with increased defence spending, and included no further tax rises.
He told YorkMix: “It was a spring statement that meets the challenges of our times. We’re obviously facing a threat to our national security in Europe.
“It increases defence spending – £ 2.2 billion next year. It really was positive in terms of the sort of disposable income that families will feel – £500 pounds extra a year has been projected.
“And also, we all want to see more investment in our public services.”
The spring statement confirmed the controversial welfare cuts.
On this Mr Charters said: “The Labour Party is a party of work. We’ve got to reform the whole system to make it sustainable for taxpayers and actively to protect the people that need the most protecting.
“Of course there’s some tough decisions in there, but I think it’s a pragmatic balance to make it fairer for everyone and make it more sustainable.”
He added: “I’ve had people who have contacted me to support the change. They want to see a fairer system that works for everyone.
“I’m particularly concerned about the impact on young people in our region, one in eight young people are not in employment, education or training. I know that work can deliver dignity for those young people. It can raise their incomes.”
YorkMix asked if any of his constituents had contacted him worried or critical of the welfare changes.
He said: “I’ve had a mix of views. I’ve had both sides, to be fair.
“I think everyone, though, recognises that the system’s been broken.
“One of the key pieces of feedback I’ve heard as a constituency, MP, is when people are on PIP [personal independence payments], they’ve fought so hard to get there, but they want to try work.
“They’re nervous that they might lose their benefits if they try work and it doesn’t work out. So if we can bring in a ‘right to try’, so that people can give it a go to see if they can get to work, that’s the sort of thing that I’ve felt through my conversation with the constituents that will be really welcome.”