Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest, has welcomed today's Autumn Statement by the Chancellor George Osborne.
Mark said, "I respect the Chancellor's honesty in talking about where we are as a country, and where we are failing to fully meet the tough economic targets we set ourselves.
"The Statement is pro-growth and pro-business, which reflects this Government's approach to recovery. Since the election this Government has overseen the creation of 1.2 million new private sector jobs, and today the Chancellor has announced measures which will be welcomed throughout the business community - such as cutting Corporation Tax to 21% by 2014.
"This is in addition to the Small Business Rate Relief being extended for another year from April 2013 - to the benefit of the 368,000 small businesses in the West Midlands, increasing the Capital Allowance cap from £25,000 to £250,000, and £25 million per year more for UK Trade and Investment's export support to SMEs.
"The Chancellor has also announced measures which will be welcomed by residents of Wyre Forest, such as the personal allowance rising to £9,440. This change will benefit 2 million people in the West Midlands, lifting 22,000 people out of income tax altogether. And the £2.70 per week rise in the basic state pension will benefit the West Midlands' 1.1 million pensioners.
"Importantly, Labour's planned fuel duty rise - already held back - has been cancelled. This will help the owners of the 3.5 million vehicles in the West Midlands, saving a typical driver £40 per year. Fuel prices will stay 10p per litre lower than they would have done under the previous Government.
"I am glad to see that the Government is sticking with Plan A: bond rates confirm we are financially trusted on the international stage. As the Chancellor said,
'In a world economy where bond investors are fleeing countries they regard as risky, investment is flowing into UK gilts instead of flying from them. We have to keep it that way.'
"We have to keep Britain open for business, and I believe the Autumn Statement is a realistic and a responsible route to achieve this."