By the time you read this, it’s possible you might have heard the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt present the Government’s budget for the year ahead. Writing as I am before he gets to his feet, there is talk of what tax cuts he will make.

Tax cuts anticipate a General Election like a blackbird’s song predicts daybreak. Neither lasts very long afterwards! What is lacking though is a sense of just how bad things are right now for those who continue to depend on public services.

Local health services are being pushed to the brink. Community Hospitals like the one in Seaton are threatened with being divided and even disposed of. NHS dentistry is decaying before our very eyes. To my mind, there are several things the Government could do right now to help the economy and society in Devon and beyond.

The Chancellor could permanently cut the rate of VAT for tourism and hospitality businesses. This would boost vital businesses in tourist hotspots like ours – allowing them to stay afloat and generate taxes to support other vital services.

A low VAT rate levied on a pub that continues to trade is better for the Treasury than a high VAT rate levied on a landlord who is driven out of business. The permanent VAT cut I propose contrasts with the temporary cut that has been proposed by some Tory MPs. They seem not to have spotted that the VAT rate on hospitality businesses has leapt up and down like a yo-yo at the hands of this Conservative Government.

Secondly, the Chancellor ought to cancel the planned real-terms cut to the NHS. Failing to increase the NHS budget in line with inflation would remove around £1.3bn from services that are already struggling. We need to invest in people’s health: recruit more GPs, boost the number of dental appointments, and cut the long waits for urgent cancer care. People who are well can work, contribute to society and pay taxes.

Finally, Government must stop handing out tax breaks to big banks. It must stop allowing energy firms to rake in bumper profits off the back of rising energy costs too. This would generate billions extra to invest in our communities.

People are tired of the chaos and mismanagement this Conservative Government has presided over. People tell me they are ready for a change, and here in Honiton & Sidmouth, the way to get that is to vote Liberal Democrat, so we can send this obstreperous Government off the pitch and enjoy the dawn of a new day.