HOME Secretary Priti Patel has welcomed the Budget statement saying it demonstrates that the government stands "on the side of families and businesses".

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak announced government spending plans for the year ahead when he outlined the Budget for 2021 on Wednesday.

Witham MP, Priti Patel said this Budget will support families and businesses as they recover from the pandemic.

The Budget included an extension of Coronavirus Job Support Scheme to September 2021, help for more self-employed people by expanding the grant scheme to include people who filed tax returns for 2019/20, the continuation of the additional £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit and help for homebuyers with a new mortgage guarantee scheme.

Ms Patel said: "In these difficult and challenging times, this Budget demonstrates that the Conservative Government stands firmly on the side of families and businesses.

"The Chancellor has responded to the impact that the pandemic has had with another comprehensive package of support, which will help many families and businesses in this part of Essex to support them during the crisis and to help them through the economic recovery.

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"The grants and business rates reliefs being given to businesses will save many jobs and help business owners to plan for their reopening in the weeks and months ahead."

"Over the last year I have been raising with the Chancellor issues which businesses and families have faced and the measures he has announced will address many of their concerns and give them much-needed financial assistance."

The Chancellor also announced that Harwich and Felixstowe will be included in one of eight regional freeports.

Ms Patel added: "I welcome the decision for Harwich and Essex to be a part of the East of England freeport with Felixstowe.

"Freeports can help turbo-charge the economy and boost Britain’s place as an international global trading power. This will help create new local jobs and bring investment into our County."