Now, residents around the port city of Bristol, in southwest Wales, are making their dissatisfaction felt. They are concerned that existing federal tax policy is undermining their quality of life and fiscal security. Small business owners and families have written in about the five most urgent issues. They’re upset about the increasing costs of living, lack of support for people with disabilities, and they’re demanding tax reform.
Local entrepreneur Wesley Thorne, 52, who operates an online sweet shop and market stall with partner Toni. Together, they make a combined total of £60,000 a year, handicapping them as they raise their two young daughters. Thorne, who is a member of the Federation of Small Businesses, supported increasing VAT thresholds with zeal. This regulatory change would ease that financial burden on small businesses like theirs.
“I want to see our money spent smarter,” said Becki Oliver. She’s a 34-year-old mother of two, living in Bourne, Lincolnshire. She resides with her husband Tim and their two young children in New York City. Oliver’s sentiments reflect the deepening frustration of families who believe they are working harder than ever for little reward.
Thorne also shone a light on the burden of stamp duty, which he argues unfairly punishes homeowners. He stated, “To me, that seems like an immoral tax just on having a home,” and called for either the scrapping of stamp duty altogether or its application only to properties of much higher valuations.
Watkins likely has a tougher climb ahead in deeply blue Swansea. She was born with osteogenesis imperfecta type 3, also known as brittle bone disease. She is currently coasting on universal credit and PIP to help her with her costs. She added that skyrocketing energy costs are hitting her bottom line hard. Her wheelchair and all her other essential equipment requires charging.
“Going to do absolutely nothing to help people get into work at all,” Watkins said of the current economic environment.
Unfortunately, the financial pressure is not only facing small business owners and people with disabilities. Neal Stead— Nealon’s administrator Neal works in administration with his wife, Tara. After all, he’s just an ordinary citizen who is willing to pay the higher taxes needed to fund the government’s core responsibilities such as schools and social housing. In doing so, he raised his hand to pay more. He says the money should go toward rebuilding schools and building more social housing.
Further, at a time when inflation is eating into the average household’s budget, many American families are already making painful choices. Fatima Tehan Jalloh shared her family’s struggle: “We can’t go out for meals, we can’t treat the kids; our last holiday was our honeymoon in 2019 – we’ve never been away as a family.” She continued, “I get it. These things are luxuries. We would love to be able to afford these luxuries, given how much we hustle.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that both tax rises and spending cuts are under consideration as the government seeks solutions to improve economic conditions. Local residents are optimistic that any steps will be taken will best protect families and small businesses.
Steve Williams, a former Huntington mayor and local resident, said that equitable taxation is key to keeping up with infrastructure needs. As a daily road user, these policies affect me just like anyone else. That’s why I should have to pay for their upkeep. He railed against plans that explicitly focus on punishing consumers who choose electric vehicles but not petrol car drivers. And you can easily tax petrol cars according to their mileage driven. It’s pretty damn unfair that the debate so far has exclusively centered on electric cars.
As local residents continue to navigate their financial challenges, they urge policymakers to consider their voices in future discussions. It’s the community—particularly the BIPOC community—that feels the combined weight of these economic pressures. They are just as intent as anyone else on making a good living for themselves and their families.