Ahead of the government's budget announcement, Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, Sarah Dyke, is pressing for greater focus on rural communities, healthcare access, and SEND provision in Somerset, which she says have reached crisis levels in underfunded rural councils.

Her demands come as speculation grows over the budget's expected measures, including tax changes and funding for public services.

Ms Dyke has consistently highlighted the specific needs of rural communities, saying, "Our small businesses and high streets are struggling amidst soaring costs, high energy prices, and spiralling rents. Business rates are something the government could and should address now, to ease some of the burden."

In Somerset, she noted, "Rural communities are in desperate need of support from this budget. In Somerset, our communities have unequal access to healthcare, dentists, and SEND provision as well as being impacted by rural premiums: where the cost of life's basics are 10% higher due to transport and fuel costs."

She urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to address these inequalities: "This budget, it's critical that the government invests in our crumbling NHS infrastructure, and the broken funding model for Local Authorities, which just cannot go on."

Ms Dyke added that Somerset's rural local authorities and NHS facilities are at breaking point and called for "an urgent and radical overhaul of the way Local Authorities are funded, in order to continue to provide services for the most vulnerable, who rely on them, and to make sure our most vulnerable children have proper access to education."

In response to anticipated tax changes, which may include increases in employers' national insurance contributions, Ms Dyke voiced the importance of adequate social services funding: "We've had 14 years of Conservative failure, austerity, and stripping public services and the NHS to the bone. This government has got its work cut out, but it must begin with this budget to fund those critically important services that are at breaking point."

What's expected in the budget?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce measures to raise substantial funds for the NHS, reportedly through a proposed £20 billion hike in employers' national insurance. Additionally, Reeves is expected to confirm new funding to address NHS waiting lists, with capital gains and inheritance tax changes also being considered to generate revenue. The budget is likely to include measures for disabled and long-term sick individuals returning to work, as well as an increase in the minimum wage to £12.21 for those over 21, and a 6.7% rise in living wages.

Additional commitments may focus on infrastructure for affordable housing and local authority budgets. Labour leader Keir Starmer has also announced the introduction of a £3 cap on bus fares outside of London until the end of 2025, replacing the previous £2 cap​