West Norfolk residents torn on Chancellor’s budget

West Norfolk residents are torn on the contents of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement.

We took to Lynn’s high street to ask shoppers what they think about the budget plans - and responses were mixed.

Luigi Tusnia, from Terrington St Clement, said he thinks National Insurance cuts are “worth having” and that the National Living Wage increase is “brilliant”.

“It won't make a difference at the moment but it will help,” he said.

He also supported a pension increase - as did Alison, 75, from Hunstanton. She said: “I am really pleased for everybody and all the pensioners that the pension is being increased.”

Linda Cross, 73, from Heacham, also voiced her support for a National Insurance cut.

“I like anything going down. I only work part-time now but that's good, it's a couple of pennies less,” she said.

Others were not so impressed with the Government’s plans.

Julia Nicholas, 58, from Outwell, said: “I have no confidence in the Government as they give with one hand and take away with the other.”

She is not convinced by wage increases, and says £11.44 an hour is still not enough.

Her daughter Lucy, 22, agreed that she does not have “any confidence” in the Conservatives.

She thinks the Government should put up student finance levels as well as the minimum wage, and argued that money should be found to pay student nurses as well.

By Molly Nicholas and Alice Hobbs