By the Local Democracy Reporter.
MP Alicia Kearns Delivers Sweeping Critique of Autumn Budget and Outlines Key Local and Foreign Policy Priorities
In a comprehensive update to constituents, Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Stamford, delivered a stern rebuke of the Government’s latest Autumn Budget while laying out her ongoing parliamentary work spanning local infrastructure, rural safety, and shadow ministerial responsibilities in foreign affairs and national security.
Addressing Parliament’s reaction to the Prime Minister’s first budget, Alicia argued that the fiscal plan failed to rise to the current geopolitical and economic moment. She emphasised that the UK urgently required a defense- and national security-focused budget capable of responding to evolving global threats, alongside aggressive measures to curb government spending.
Highlighting findings from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and the Resolution Foundation, Alicia pointed to several key areas of concern.
The UK tax burden is projected to reach its highest level in history next year. Inflation forecasts have been revised upward to 3.1% this year, with predictions reaching 3.4% in 2027.
According to the Resolution Foundation, typical household incomes are forecast to drop by a total of £1,050 (3%) between 2026–27 and 2028–29.
Welfare expenditures are projected to hit £407 billion (11.2% of GDP) by 2030–31. Alicia criticised conflicting statements from the Treasury regarding whether welfare spending would actually be reduced over the current Parliament.
Economic growth forecasts were downgraded to 1% for next year (down from 1.6%), while debt interest payments are set to rise by £14 billion this year. Kearns advocated for adopting opposition policies to cut spending and allocate 50% of the savings directly toward deficit reduction.
While criticising the overarching fiscal direction, Alicia welcomed specific measures, including the freezing of Fuel Duty, the introduction of the New Pension Tax Allowance, continued funding for Ukraine, and modest updates to small business rate relief though she noted the latter would likely be absorbed by rising minimum wage costs.
Alicia detailed a range of constituency initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and community resources across Rutland and South Kesteven:
Following negotiations with network providers, a three-year roll-out plan with Vodafone-Three will upgrade mobile signal and broadband capacity across eight locations in Stamford and surrounding South Kesteven villages.
The Government agreed to explore Alicia's proposal to use population density-adjusted statistics when allocating road safety funds. This adjustment aims to prevent rural routes, such as the A1, from being deprioritised compared to high-volume urban roads.
Negotiations regarding the permanent return of the Rutland Ichthyosaur fossil to the county have hit an impasse. Alicia expressed frustration with Rutland County Council leadership for declining to proceed with legal framework negotiations to secure ownership.
Progress continues on the Local Link project in Oakham, funded in part by £23.7 million in Levelling Up grants secured in 2023. Construction is underway on a facility adjacent to Rutland Memorial Hospital to integrate adult social care and public health services. The associated £2 million investment in the Call Connect bus service has extended public transport to 20 previously unserved villages.
Alicia hosted Uppingham-based leather goods manufacturer Arnold Wills at Parliament’s Make UK Showcase, while reiterating her opposition to proposed changes to Inheritance Tax for family farms and businesses.
Beyond national economic policy, Alicia highlighted several legislative efforts and community activities.
Following debates during Baby Loss Awareness Week, Kearns called for mandatory CPR training for parents prior to discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and urged the Health Secretary to make maternal blood clot prevention a national healthcare priority.
In a formal letter to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Alicia raised national security and environmental objections regarding the policy presumption in favor of overhead electricity transmission lines.
The seventh annual primary school Christmas card competition is officially open under the theme "The Elves' Day Off," with entries accepted through early November.
Serving as Shadow Minister across Home Office and Foreign Affairs portfolios, Alicia outlined an extensive series of international and security actions:
At the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Alicia authored a resolution passed unanimously making the Council of Europe the first international body to declare the Russian State Duma illegitimate. She also led a 60-MP declaration condemning Serbia’s decision to grant state honors to convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić.
Alicia introduced amendments to the Immigration and Asylum Bill aimed at automatically revoking visa sponsorship rights for sanctioned entities, mandating national security reporting by universities, and requiring the automatic deportation of foreign nationals convicted under the National Security Act or forced-marriage statutes.
Alicia pressed the Government to supply large-scale power generators to Ukraine to combat winter infrastructure damage. She also called for formal terrorist designations regarding the Houthi movement and queried government policy on oil exploration approvals in the Falkland Islands.
Formal complaints were submitted to law enforcement and regulatory bodies regarding state-backed operations, including reporting HispanTV under the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme and challenging Ofcom over the broadcasting license of IRGC-affiliated LuaLua TV. Furthermore, Alicia raised diplomatic concerns over China's new "Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress" regarding its potential for transnational repression in the UK.
Alicia highlighted successful legislative pushes to ban depictions of non-fatal strangulation in online pornography and supported cross-party legislation to outlaw child-like sexual abuse dolls. Additionally, she joined campaigners at the Foreign Office to present a 100,000-signature petition demanding the release of British citizens Lindsay and Craig Foreman, currently detained in Iran.
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not imply political endorsement, official support, or affiliation by Oakham and Rutland News for Alicia Kearns MP or the Rutland and Stamford Conservative Association. Oakham and Rutland News is committed to impartial local coverage and welcomes press releases, news, and updates from all political parties, candidates, and community groups across Rutland and Stamford.
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