James Wild MP has released the findings from his constituency survey on the government's Autumn Budget 2025, which has revealed widespread opposition to key fiscal measures and significant concerns about their impact on working households, businesses, farming families, and pensioners across North West Norfolk.
As a Shadow Treasury Minister, James launched this survey to gain detailed insight into how the government's fiscal measures will affect constituents to inform his work scrutinising these policies.
93% of respondents rate their overall satisfaction with the Budget at 1 or 2 out of 5 (1 being the worst; 5 the best), with clear cut opposition to individual measures:
Budget Measure
- Income tax threshold freeze (until 2031): 92% oppose
- Savings tax rate increase (2%): 95% oppose
- Two-child benefit cap removal: 95% oppose
- Family farm inheritance tax: 98%
- Fuel duty unfreezing (September 2026): 90%
- Pension/NI changes affecting savings ability: 55%
Respondents expressed anxiety that frozen tax thresholds, combined with a lack of meaningful pay rises, are leaving many “working harder for less” without any real increase in take-home pay.
Pensioners voiced similar concerns, with frozen thresholds compounding new tax demands on state pensions and savings. As one told James, “We’ve done everything by the book and what for? Pensioners are being hammered from every direction.”
The removal of business rates reliefs was found to be creating existential pressure on hospitality and retail businesses. Those already operating on "thin margins" now report facing removal of the tax breaks that have sustained them with one shop owner explaining: "We are only a small shop… so this will possibly be the final nail in the coffin.
For others, the compounding of additional costs has forced staff layoffs with young people often “the first to be hit”. Many felt the government was "anti-business".
For farmers, the inheritance tax on agricultural holdings was reducing investment incentives for succession planning, with farming families reconsidering long-term modernisation and expansion when facing the prospect of forfeiting gains at succession. One farmer put it to James: "Why would us farmers increase the value of our farms only to lose it to tax on our death, leaving sons and daughters facing huge debts or selling off after generations?"
Constituents described what they call a breach of the “moral economy”, in which those who work and save feel “penalised”. One asked: “Why are Labour taking hard-earned money from working taxpayers to give to families with more than two children?” The removal of the two-child benefit cap, alongside a higher overall tax burden, reinforced perceptions that the state is “rewarding” non-work.
The survey highlights a systemic economic anxiety and growth pessimism, with constituents believing falling disposable incomes and reduced business investment will slow growth. One noted that "the general public will have less disposable income reducing the likelihood of home improvements or new builds," whilst others note that "the commercial and hospitality sectors are dying on their feet."
Commenting on the findings, James Wild MP said:
“This survey demonstrates serious opposition rooted in concern about fairness. People’s responses lay bare how these measures are creating real pressure on working households, businesses, pensioners and rural communities.
“Working families feel penalised for effort. Small businesses face pressure they cannot absorb. Farming families are reconsidering investment. Pensioners feel their saving has been in vain and the principle that contribution should be rewarded has been breached. I am grateful for the clarity and seriousness with which constituents have raised these concerns.
“As a member of the Shadow Treasury team, I will now be using these findings to inform my scrutiny and opposition to the Chancellor’s plans.”
The survey drew over 100 responses from individuals and businesses based in North West Norfolk.
