A Bolton MP has described the budget as a 'sticking plaster' at a time when the UK is in need of 'major surgery' - while a local landlord has said more could have been done to support the hospitality industry during the cost-of-living crisis.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced multiple measures in a bid to boost the economy, which he said is 'on the right track'.

Amongst those measures with the most immediate impact on households were assistance with the cost of childcare, with up to 30 hours a week available for free to all eligible households, and with the cost of energy, with the cap remaining at £2,500 a year for the next three months rather than rising to £3,000 a year. The so-called 'prepayment penalty' for those on prepayment meters is set to end as well.

There are also freezes to petrol duty and pint duty in a boost to drinkers and drivers alike.

In a speech on the proposals to the House of Commons, Jeremy Hunt said: "Today the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast, because of changing international factors and the measures I take, the UK will not now enter a recession this year. They forecast we will meet the Prime Minister's priorities to halve inflation, reduce debt and get the economy growing. We are following the plan and the plan is working."

Yasmin Qureshi, the borough's Labour MP, said: "This budget is nothing more than a sticking plaster that fails to address the underlying issues facing Britain today.

"Labour’s plan for economic growth hinges on a Green Prosperity Plan which will create good jobs, invest in our local communities, and drive sustainable and inclusive growth across the United Kingdom."

Graham Whitham, chief executive of Greater Manchester Poverty Action, agreed the support for households was not enough.

He said: "The cost of living crisis has highlighted just how many households up and down the UK were already struggling to make ends meet. As food and energy bills have soared over the last year, millions of families have found that they simply don’t have enough money to cope with rising living costs.

"The budget doesn’t go far enough. As a country, we need a solid plan for ending poverty and boosting living standards that ensures people can afford a decent standard of living year in, year out."

Sean Hornby, a Bolton councillor, and landlord of the Queen's Hotel said: "I just feel like it was giving to the rich and taking away from the poor.

"I think there wasn't much in there for the hospitality industry which I know a bit about , okay he froze duty but that is all he has done."

He added: "It just seems like a load of rubbish to me and I think the Tories will pay a price."

But some business leaders like Greenmount based financial advisor Nazia Haque have been more positive.

She said: “The one that I'm most excited about is the changes around childcare, and the support and recognition given to women as a workforce, as childcare concerns can be a great barrier to women going back to work. 

“They're also going to tackle the fact that there aren't enough child minders by incentivising them to come back into the field of childminding - which again is welcome news.”

She added: “This budget is encouraging more women into work, as children aged nine months to three years will be offered 30 hours a week of free childcare in term time – as long as both parents are working at least 16 hours a week.

“Another point about the childcare measures is that instead of childcare bills, fees will be paid upfront to parents, again reducing that barrier against going back to work. 

“For pension watchers, the annual limit on tax-free pension contributions rises from £40,000 to £60,000 and the lifetime cap has been abolished.

“Previously pensions have had a lifetime allowance that has been stuck for a long time.

“And they've just abolished it, which means that even though the corporation tax bill is going up, there is an incentive for business owners to now put more money into their pension pot and get that pension relief.

“Cost of living is also considered and the energy price guarantee will remain at £2,500 until July it had been set to rise to £3,000.

“Budgeting is a crucial life skill and one that isn't taught in school, I offer free resources and tools to help people with budgeting, available from my office.”

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.