TAUNTON Deane's MP is facing a backlash after claiming that Taunton's residents have more 'money in their pockets'. 

A petition on website 38degrees calling for Rebecca Pow's immediate resignation has surfaced, with more than 1,500 signatures garnered so far. 

The petition comes after the MP spoke during a Budget Resolutions session at the Houses of Parliament on Thursday, November 23, endorsing measures introduced by the Conservative party which she said meant people 'had thousands more'.

Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, responded to the comments by accusing Ms Pow of 'displaying an ignorance about what large numbers of people are experiencing'.

Ms Pow said in Parliament: "The people in Taunton Deane (who) speak to me, they've actually got more money in their pockets.

"We have put up the national living wage, we have cut income tax by raising the personal allowance and again we have frozen fuel duty so people have actually got thousands more in their pockets than they had under the Labour Government."

Mr McDonnell responded, saying: "I know the honourable lady is well intentioned but can I just say she has displayed an ignorance about what large numbers of people are experiencing.

He added: "I just say that all of us, who are on relatively high wages, need to understand and be very careful when we talk about levels of income, levels of wealth, when we know so many people - four million of our children - are actually living in poverty and two thirds of those children are living in households where someone is at work.

"That says something about low pay to me and it should do to all of us."

Ms Pow has responded to the criticism, saying she was highlighting specific announcements in Wednesday's Budget.

RELATED: Taunton MP Rebecca Pow responds to criticism over Budget comments

But petition creator Tink Dyer said she was 'appalled' by the remarks.

"She (Ms Pow) has systematically voted against the majority wishes of her constituents time and time again," she said.

"Now she has spoken to the House officially stating that her constituents have, 'thousands more pounds in their pockets' - 'they've never had it so good'.

"As a resident of Taunton Deane, I am appalled by either her blatant lying, or her total lack of knowledge of her constituents.

"With Somerset being one of the full Universal Credit areas, I can categorically state, we've never had it so bad.

"Massive amounts of her constituents are using food banks and some of those people are working. Some of those are our nurses.

"We have never seen so many working poor. Homelessness has increased.

"The majority of people in Taunton Deane are at their wits end.

"What would be helpful is an MP who recognised the reality and worked hard for their constituents. Unfortunately, Rebecca Pow does not."

But what do you think? Are her comments accurate and the people of Taunton Deane actually better off? Or is she out of touch and not representing the views of her constituents?

Whatever your view, use the form below to let us know - and vote in our poll.