Graham has backed the Conservatives’ Alternative King’s Speech, saying it offers a practical plan to cut bills, back local businesses and restore basic fairness.
The plan, published under the banner Stronger Economy, Stronger Country, sets out Bills to reform welfare, back high streets, get people into work, cut bureaucracy, protect British industry, deliver cheaper energy, strengthen borders, support veterans and raise school standards.
Graham said the plan matters for Beverley and Holderness because local families, businesses, young workers, farmers and pensioners are all paying the price for weak growth, high taxes and rising bills.
It follows months of work by Graham locally, including his campaign to scrap business rates for high street shops, cut energy bills by £200, protect young people from the debt treadmill, back first jobs, support veterans and stand up for rural drivers facing fuel duty rises.
The Conservatives’ Alternative King’s Speech includes a Back Our High Streets Bill, which would introduce permanent 100 per cent business rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, capped at £110,000 per business.
Graham has already highlighted that 343 shops in Beverley and Holderness would pay zero business rates under Conservative plans. He has also raised the pressure facing local employers, including a fivefold rates shock at a Long Riston petrol station, a £27,000 rates hike at a Beverley family venue and rising costs at local businesses including Tickton Grange and a Beverley gym helping young people.
The Alternative King’s Speech also includes a Cheap Energy Bill and Save British Industry Bill, aimed at cutting energy costs and protecting British jobs. Graham, a former Energy Minister, has repeatedly warned that high energy prices are hitting local families, damaging industry and making it harder for Britain to compete.
The welfare measures would aim to make work pay, reduce dependency and restore fairness for people who work hard and pay their taxes. Graham has previously criticised Labour’s “welfare not work” approach and backed plans to get Britain working again.
Graham said: “People in Beverley and Holderness are working hard, paying their taxes and doing the right thing.
“They do not want more slogans from Westminster. They want lower bills, safer streets, stronger borders, cheaper energy and proper support for local businesses.
“That is how we build a stronger economy and a stronger country.
“This Alternative King’s Speech is a serious plan to get Britain working again.
“Our high streets need help. Our businesses need lower costs. Our farmers and manufacturers need cheap energy. Our young people need proper first jobs. And people who can work should be helped into work, not written off on benefits.
“That is basic fairness.
“I have been making this case locally for months, from Beverley businesses hit by rates hikes to rural drivers facing higher fuel duty and families struggling with energy bills.
“Labour came into office without a plan. People can see the result. Bills are high, businesses are under pressure and the country feels stuck.
“The Conservatives are doing the work now so we are ready with a record of real results and a serious plan for government.”
ENDS
Background
Conservatives’ Alternative King’s Speech https://www.conservatives.com/alternative-kings-speech
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