THE Chancellor’s Spending Review was full of national headlines, but is also set to make waves on a local level.

Figures from across Taunton and Somerset have reacted to the George Osbourne’s announcement, which set out the country’s financial situation, and the spending plan for the next five year leading up to the election in 2020.

The Chancellor said: “At the centre of our plans to help working people at every stage of their lives are further investments in schools for our children; a world-class National Health Service; new protections for police and defence budgets and the biggest rise in state pensions since 2001.”

“The South West is a key part of that plan and that’s why today I have confirmed major investments there in areas like transport, education, culture as well as driving down the costs of local water bills.

“This is a Spending Review which delivers for the people of the South West.”

Rebecca Pow, MP for Taunton Deane, was supportive of George Osborne’s plans.

She said: “In particular I welcome news that police budgets will be protected and the largest commitment to the NHS since its creation was pledged including the £6 billion to be delivered next year and an additional £600m for mental health.

“There's a real commitment to home ownership too with the doubling of the housing budget with even more emphasis on affordable homes to buy which will help many people in Taunton Deane to get into the housing ladder.

"My personal approach to the chancellor to ease the tax credit issue too was heard which I am also very pleased about."

Dale Edwards, chief executive of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, was also supportive of some of George Osborne’s plans.

He said: “With new enterprise zones, a focus on apprenticeships, extension of the small business rate relief scheme, and an intention to spread economic power and wealth across the nation, there should be plenty of opportunity for Somerset businesses to share in this growth.”

However, Somerset County Council’s leader Cllr John Osman was outspoken about the Spending Review

“Care for vulnerable elderly people and children is being neglected, undervalued and underfunded” said Cllr Osman.

“It will take time to really understand the detail, but it is clear local authorities will be paying the price for protecting spending in other areas like the NHS, police and defence."

As expected, the Chancellor also announced that local authorities would be able to raise a new charge of up to 2 per cent on Council Tax to help fund the rising cost of adult social care.

The leader of Somerset County Council predicted this would raise around £4m in the county. This would be in addition to any other Council Tax increase implemented to protect services.

Cllr Osman added: “A 2 per cent precept wouldn’t even cover the additional costs incurred next year as a result of our ageing population, then you have the costs of inflation and the impact of the National Living Wage.

"The new precept does nothing to address the fundamental underfunding of the local authorities providing these services, it simply allows councils to put an additional burden on Council Tax Payers.”