Budget could be high water mark for Peterborough's £36 million indoor swimming pool plan

Hopes are high that Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will use her second Budget to announce a funding deal that will unlock the way for the construction of the hope-for swimming pool.

Ms Reeves announced in her spending review in June a £240 million Growth Fund to benefit local projects and singled out the Peterborough pool as the kind of project that it targeted.

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: “I am hopeful that we will have some goods news from the Chancellor for our swimming pool.

"But we will have to wait and hear exactly what the Chancellor says.

"We have been in continuous talks with officials at the Treasury and the Department of Business about funding for the pool.

The plans that have been put together by a consortium that includes Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Peterborough City Council, ARU Peterborough, City of Peterborough Swimming Club, Friends of the Lido and Living Sport, involves the construction of a 25 metre long swimming pool off Bishop’s Road on the site of the now demolished Regional Pool,

Beyond the city’s new swimming pool, Mr Pakes said that he hoped the Budget would deliver a increase in funding for Peterborough City Council and that there would be good news for apprenticeships.

He added: “The Chancellor will be sticking to her three clear priorities, which are to cut the cost of living, cut NHS waiting lists and cut the nation’s debt.”

North West Cambridgeshire MP Sam Carling said: “People in Peterborough want to see a Budget that makes life a little easier and gives families some stability after a tough few years.

"We’ve already seen steps in the right direction - from increases to the National Minimum and Living Wage, to freezing prescription charges and expanding free lunches and breakfast clubs, so children here in Peterborough and North West Cambridgeshire can learn and grow without barriers.

"Those choices matter for household budgets here in our region.

“This Budget is another chance to build on that: to back our NHS, keep the national finances on a steady footing, and keep improving the cost of living for working people.”

Pep Cipriano, chief operating officer for Peterborough Positive, which operates the city centre’s Business Improvement District, said: “I’m hoping the Budget is good for business.

"We don’t need to see any more increases in National Insurance of the National Minimum Wage and we need the cost of the utilities to be frozen.”

John Anderson, chief executive of Peterborough-based homes builder, Allison Homes, said: “The housing market is on its knees, confidence is low, government policy is confused and consumers are nervous of what is to come.

"Helping first time buyers, reducing the stealth taxes imposed on the industry aligned with the strong statements on planning reform will fuel the much-needed growth in this country.

“I believe that building homes is about more than bricks and mortar, it’s about creating stable, thriving communities where families can build their futures.”

Chancellor increases National Living Wage

Late yesterday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a hike in the National Living and National Minimum Wages from next April.

The National Living wage will increase by 4.1 per cent to £12.71 per hour for eligible workers aged 21 and over. - the equivalent of £900 a year.

She said that the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for 18–20-year-olds will increase by £1,500 a year thanks to an 8.1 per cent increase.

The NMW for 16–17-year-olds and those on apprenticeships will increase by 6 per cent to £8 per hour.

Mr Pakes said: “Too many hard working people are struggling to make ends meet across Peterborough.

"I’m delighted. Bringing down the cost of living is still our government’s top priority.”

North West Cambridgeshire MP Sam Carling said: “The increase in the National Living Wage will be particularly important for young people who are just starting out in their careers, who are building their future and saving for their future homes.”

Rail fares and prescription fees are frozen:

Ahead of the budget the Government has also frozen rail fares, which it says will save customers 5.8 per cent.

Prescription fees have been frozen at £9.90 per item and the Triple lock has been uprated.