Last week’s Budget speech was the first to be delivered by a woman. I wanted to start this column by recognising the significance of the occasion.

Rachel Reeves is a history maker and I hope one of her lasting achievements will be to inspire her successors, so that future female Chancellors are seen as normal, not exceptional.

This was the first Labour Budget in 14 years and one that makes very different choices to the previous government.

As Paul Johnson, the respected Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies has said, Labour had a “hospital pass” on our inheritance from the Conservatives, because of their unrealistic plans.

Our new Labour government doesn’t pretend the choices in government are easy, but has set out a clear plan for how our economy can grow and living standards can rise. That starts with honesty about taxation.

As per our manifesto promise, you will not see an increase in tax in your payslips, but we are asking businesses to pay more and have raised taxes on capital gains and people buying second homes.

In fact, with pay in the private sector is rising ahead of inflation and most members of the armed forces, NHS staff and teachers are receiving a 5.5 per cent pay rise – many people in Welwyn Hatfield will be better off.

This was a Budget for schools, health and housing. In total, there is £6.7billion more for the Department for Education, with £1billion ringfenced for SEND funding.

On the NHS, we have delivered the biggest increase in investment (outside of the Covid emergency) since 2010.

Crucially, a significant amount of money will go to new surgical hubs, scanners and radiotherapy machines.

Our government is clear that the NHS needs more support, but reform and the embrace of new technology must go alongside additional resources.

The Budget contained a national pledge of £500million to build more social and council homes. Especially important for Welwyn Hatfield, where I know affordable housing is out of reach for so many people.

A historic budget and one that I know will start to deliver the change we promised.