Page 6 - Town & Around - April 2025

6 Town & Around April 2025 Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net
Wild in Westminster and West Norfolk

n my recent small business survey, local Buckaroo mule – loading more and more on
firms told me that the increases in national costs and regulations but, as anyone who’s
Iinsurance taking effect this month were played the game, knows it is inevitable there
their main concern. Across the economy, will be a reaction as a result. That means
we’ve seen the damaging impact the extra higher prices, lower wages, and fewer jobs.
costs are already having with a loss of Growth in the economy comes from the
business confidence leading to hiring plans people willing to invest, take a risk, hire
being put on hold, paused investment, and job people, or start exporting. Sadly, there seems
losses. a lack of understanding of this among
The changes announced in the Budget will ministers in Westminster who think
raise employer National Insurance government drives growth – rather it can
contributions from 13.8% to 15%, while certainly inhibit it as we’ve seen in recent
lowering the threshold for when payments months.
have to be made from £9,100 to £5,000 Where it can play a part in investing
annually. infrastructure and in the coming months we
Employers are warning this will have a will hear whether key projects in our area will
particular impact on the hospitality and leisure get the backing they deserve and which the
sector and on lower paid and part time roles. last government was committed to delivering.
As a result, three-quarters of a million jobs in Parliament, I’ve opposed these plans in my My focus locally and in Parliament
the hospitality sector will be subject to Shadow Treasury minister role and called on continues to be making the case for enterprise
employer National Insurance for the very first the Chancellor to think again and change and backing local firms to grow our economy.
time. UK Hospitality has estimated this will course. However, the government seems One way of doing that is support the Norfolk
cost businesses an estimated £1 billion. wedded to this massive tax hike - £25 billion Rural Business Awards to showcase some of
These changes are worrying given that a year in total – which also hits care homes, the great businesses we have. Any firms
tourism is worth £565 million to West Norfolk hospices, charities, and other organisations. interested in entering should visit
and supports over a fifth of all jobs locally. In Unfortunately, the government seems to be Norfolk.gov.uk to do so.
treating businesses as if they were the
James Wild MP celebrates 40 years of Nationwide in Hunstanton

ames recently visited the Nationwide
Building Society branch in Hunstanton to
Jcelebrate its 40th anniversary and discuss
local financial issues. He met with Branch
Manager, Gary Hubbard, and Customer
Representatives, Lisa Reed, Chrissy Gotts,
and Kieran Raines to explore the branch’s role
in the community and the challenges residents
face.

James Wild with Lisa Reed from left) Chrissy Gotts, Gary Hubbard, Lisa Reed, James Wild MP & Kieran Raines
They discussed Nationwide’s commitment Dementia UK. As part of this, Nationwide is existing branches and long may it continue!”
to keeping branches open until at least 2028 - funding an additional 30 Admiral Nurses – As the Hunstanton branch celebrates this
something James has been pushing for to help specialist dementia care professionals – and milestone, James continues to advocate for
ensure local people can continue to access is running dementia clinics in 200 branches rural communities, ensuring they have access
banking services close to home. The across the country, offering practical advice to essential services and opportunities for
conversation also covered Nationwide’s and emotional support to families. growth.
community work, including support for local During his visit, James noted the steady
charities and its national Fairer Futures flow of customers, highlighting the continued
programme. The Hunstanton branch acts as a importance of physical banking in rural areas.
collection point for the local food bank, with James Wild MP said: “Nationwide has been
donations gathered in the branch and collected providing local banking services in
by St Edmund Church for distribution to Hunstanton for over forty years. Access to
families in need. personal service on the high street is
He also heard about Nationwide’s wider important to many people, and there was
work to support people living with dementia, steady footfall of customers during my visit.
through its Fairer Futures partnership with I welcome Nationwide’s commitment to