It’s tricky, because you can’t please everyone. You might like the spending priorities, but not the taxes that pay for it. I understand people want to see more change from this government. I know they get tired of hearing about the economic mess and damage to our public services caused by the previous government. However, after 14 years of harm it remains a hard truth. To change anything, we must find the money for it.

Against that challenging backdrop, last week’s Budget showed we are serious about delivering change. Removing the cruel two child benefit cap meant a lot to me. Having worked for anti-poverty charities for years, I am painfully aware of the impact this policy had. It makes no sense to punish children for choices they didn’t make with policies that keep their families poor. If children grow up in poverty, they are more likely to suffer ill health and have worse outcomes in life. We have a chance to prevent that, and we’re taking it.

Some tell me they think this will incentivise people to have children they can’t afford, but before sitting in judgement it’s important to remember that our lives and circumstances can change in a heartbeat. Removing the cap will lift 2,000 children out of poverty in Calder Valley, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. I find it hard to understand why anyone would think children should not be warm, clean and fed.

Lifting the cap is, of course, just part of the support we are putting in place to help families achieve a decent standard of living. We are wrapping more support around them including extra funded childcare hours; free breakfast clubs; extending free school meals; and funding holiday activity clubs.

I’m also excited about what this budget means for us here in West Yorkshire in terms of economic growth. There are several measures to support industry, including cutting costs for energy-intensive businesses and ensuring we are competitive in a global market. Manufacturing businesses will benefit hugely from free apprenticeships, creating opportunities for young people alongside skilled jobs of the future.

I talk about specialist manufacturing a lot in my Parliamentary work, and that is because of its importance to the economy of Calder Valley. The Chancellor committed to buying British wherever possible when it comes to defence contracts, and I’ll be pushing for our smaller manufacturers to play their part in that supply chain.

And finally – high streets are vital to our communities in Calder Valley, and we intend to support them. Business rates will be reformed and permanently lowered for 3,200 retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in this area. Schemes to protect small businesses will also be extended.

This Budget is more than a collection of financial measures, it’s a vision. By making choices that put children and families first and using public funds to invest in opportunities for all, we’re laying the foundations for a society where everyone can succeed.