ANDOVER residents have had their say on the latest government budget.

Chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt revealed the latest spring budget on Wednesday, March 15. 

In amongst other things, the budget included plans to provide free childcare for children aged from nine months, a freeze on fuel duty for the next 12 months and an 11p relief on draught drinks, meaning a pint will be cheaper in pubs than in supermarkets.

People of the town have told the Advertiser what they think of the latest plans, with many drawing similar conclusions.

Leighan, a mother of twins from Andover, said: "The new childcare plans are definitely a good thing, but they really should have brought them in sooner."

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"As a mother of twins already, the plans won't make too much of a difference to me, but other mums will definitely benefit."

The plan will see 30 hours of free childcare given to working parents of one and two-year-olds, currently only accessible to parents of three-year-olds. 

This will come in gradually, with 15 hours of free care for two-year-olds coming in from April 2024. Then in September 2024, that 15 hours will be extended to all children from nine months up. 

Rosie, a teacher from Andover, said: "This is a good step forward, but it needed to come sooner."

Debbie Collins, 43, agreed. She said: "It took them long enough, but I'm glad they did it, I'm a single mum who has been really struggling lately."

As well as the childcare changes, other people were pleased to see changes to beer prices however, they were fearful it would be too little, too late. 

The measures will reduce the tax paid on draught beers and ciders, with a Draught Relief extended to 9.2 per cent, higher than the 5 per cent duty discount that was due to come in from August.

This means the duty on an average draught pint of beer served in a pub will be up to 11p lower than the duty in supermarkets.

Laura Goodge, manager of the White Hart hotel, said the relief "won't make too much difference", as many breweries had recently increased their prices.

She called for the government to go further with its support for the industry.

She said: "A lot of pubs are struggling, pubs will be lost if something isn't done about it."

Brian Claridge, from Grately, was more optimistic about the change in the price of drinks. 

He was enjoying a drink in the White Hart Hotel with his friend John Cummings on Thursday. 

He said: "Beer is always good, but cheap beer is even better."

John added: "I like to drink and I like to save money, so this is a win-win for me."