A LEADING Launceston councillor has warned the Budget ‘leaves Cornwall behind’.

The Chancellor Philip Hammond presented his Budget to Parliament onWednesday, November 22.

Leader of Cornwall Council Adam Paynter, Liberal Democrat ward member for Launceston North and North Petherwin, said the Budget commits ‘£2-billion for Scotland, £1.2-billion for Wales and investment in Northern Ireland and the North of England, but nothing for Cornwall’.

He said: “The government is prepared to waste more than £3-billion on preparing for Brexit, but this is money that could have been spent on our hard pressed NHS and social services. There seems to be plenty of cash for pet projects such as the so called ‘Northern Powerhouse’, the ‘Midlands Engine’ and where local MPs have successfully lobbied the Chancellor, but it does not look like Cornwall’s six Conservative MPs have done anything for Cornwall.”

Conservative MP for North Cornwall Scott Mann welcomed Budget news that stamp duty land tax (SDLT) on homes under £300,000 for first-time buyers is abolished as of November 22.

His office said: “Another big win for Cornwall is the continuation of the Second Home Stamp Duty Levy which sees second home buyers paying an additional three per cent in tax. The proceeds of this levy have seen £5.1-million allocated to Cornwall for 1,000 new affordable local homes, with the levy running for at least another three years.

“Other housing announcements include an extra £10-billion for the Help to Buy equity loan scheme, £15.3-billion of new financial support for new homes over the next five years and an inquiry into the planning system to address the disparity in the number of planning permissions versus the number of home starts.”

Despite the local authority leader’s claims there was ‘nothing for Cornwall’, Mr Mann’s office said ‘there was also welcome news for Cornwall Council, with new proposals to charge empty properties 100% council tax instead of the current 50% to generate more revenue for local services’.

Mr Mann said: “I think this is a fantastic announcement for first-time buyers and I thoroughly welcome the Chancellor’s decision to cut Stamp Duty for people purchasing their first home in Cornwall, saving them thousands of pounds. Buying a first home can be daunting and challenging, especially when trying to save up a deposit, securing a mortgage and paying all the associated fees; so abolishing Stamp Duty will remove a major hurdle for all first-time buyers. Whilst it is still a challenge for people to save a deposit, there are a number of measures in this Budget including the small sites fund, a home builders fund and an extra £15.3-billion for housing delivery.”

He said other significant announcements for Cornwall included — £79-million for a link road between the A30 and St Austell; £36,000 for Cornwall Air Ambulance and a share of an additional £45-million to tackle potholes.

Mr Mann added: “This Budget is giving a huge boost to people like first-time home buyers who will see an abolition of Stamp Duty, young people who will benefit from a new railcard, road users who will see a new £80-million road which has been given the green light between the A30 and St Austell, lower earners on the National Living Wage will see a £600/yr pay increase from April next year and the NHS will see billions extra for new resources and investment.”

Cornwall Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said ‘for now little or no damage done and some help pledged’.