Yeovil MP Adam Dance: Chancellor has missed opportunity to deliver change for Yeovil and South Somerset

MP for Yeovil, Adam Dance, has criticised the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, saying it “missed the opportunity” to deliver the support needed for Yeovil and South Somerset. He warned that the failure to scrap the jobs tax and reform business rates would mean more pressure on local high streets, small businesses, and rural communities.

The Spring Statement confirmed an increase in employers’ national insurance contributions, raising taxes on small businesses already struggling with the cost of doing business. Adam Dance and the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Labour Government to instead raise revenue by taxing big banks, social media giants, and online gambling companies—rather than targeting local businesses.

Adam Dance also expressed concern at the lack of rural focus in the statement, particularly the failure to reverse the ‘family farm tax’, which risks pushing local farmers to the brink.

Speaking after the statement, Adam Dance MP said:

“Across Yeovil and South Somerset, families are feeling the squeeze. Businesses are under pressure, bills are rising, and our public services are stretched to their limits.

“This Spring Statement was a chance for the Government to show real ambition and compassion. Instead, it’s more of the same—more pressure on our small businesses, less support for disabled people, and no understanding of the challenges rural communities like ours face.

“Rachel Reeves has shown that this Government doesn’t get what rural areas need. The Liberal Democrats will continue fighting for better rural transport, support for farming communities, and safer streets.

“The Conservatives may have caused the economic mess, but Labour’s response has failed to deliver the change we need. I’ll keep pushing for a fairer way forward—one where the burden isn’t placed on local shops and farmers, but where big tech, big banks, and the gambling industry are finally asked to pay their fair share.”

The Liberal Democrats have proposed fairer revenue-raising alternatives, including:

• Reversing Conservative tax cuts on big banks, restoring the bank levy and surcharge to 2016 levels in real terms
• Raising the Digital Services Tax from 2% to 10% so that tech giants contribute more
• Doubling the Remote Gaming Duty on online gambling companies
• Introducing a 4% tax on share buyback schemes for FTSE 100 firms
• Reforming Capital Gains Tax to ensure the wealthiest pay their fair share without affecting the majority

The party is also calling for urgent investment in GPs, hospitals, and social care to relieve pressure on the NHS and help people back into work—while opposing cuts to essential benefits like PIP and Carer’s Allowance.