A WEST Cumbrian MP has said she doesn't want a pay rise "at all" following the government's spending review, wishing to see money put towards vital services and improvements instead.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, yesterday delivered the 2020 Spending Review and the Office For Budget Responsibility’s Latest Economic And Fiscal Forecast.

He announced a programme of measures to fight coronavirus, deliver on key priorities and invest in the country’s recovery, with capital spending on £100 billion next year, allowing vital work on roads, rail, hospitals, schools, broadband and housing to be carried out.

Trudy Harrison, MP for Copeland, said: “The economic impact of coronavirus has meant there has been a significant increase in borrowing and debt, and today’s spending review reflects the challenges faced since the start of the pandemic, with the Chancellor’s Spending Review tackling this unprecedented situation head on.

“Since the start of the pandemic, over 140,000 businesses across the North West have received support through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme and the Bounce Back Loans Scheme worth £5.4 billion, along with one-million jobs through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

"This has only been possible because we came into this crisis with strong public finances."

In 2021, the Department for Health and Social Care’s budget will grow by £6.6 billion, allowing for the delivery of 50,000 more nurses and 50 million more GP appointments, with £2.3 billion put towards new technologies to modernise patient and staff experience.

Pay rises will also be given to more than one-million NHS workers, and the three-year-long £2.9 billion Restart programme will help more than one-million people to find work.

In addition, £3 billion will be provided to local authorities to support vulnerable people through coronavirus, along with the creation of a new Levelling Up Fund worth £4 billion, with local areas able to bid directly to fund local projects.

Increasing the fight against climate change, the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs will see its budget increase by £1 billion, investing more than £90 million for the Nature for Climate Fund, ensuring £2.4 billion farm support, and a £5.2 billion six-year flood and coastal defence programme.

Mrs Harrison continued: “I was pleased to see spending commitments to provide pay rises to our incredible nurses, doctors and other key workers in the NHS who have been at the very forefront of the virus, along with a guaranteed pay rise of at least £250 for those earning below £24,000, helping to protect the lowest-paid workers.

"Increased funding to deliver stronger public services – including in schools, hospitals and our police force is also welcome news, as is a budget increase of £1 billion for DEFRA in the fight against climate change.

“As we all work to balance the nations finance, I was happy to take part in the consultation survey to say that MPs pay should reflect the current state of the nation – making absolutely clear that I do not want a pay rise at all.”

The chancellor also announced the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will invest £14.6 billion in R&D in 2021-22, cementing the UK as a science superpower, as well as continuing to support businesses through access finance schemes.

Last week, £24 billion was unveiled for British defence over the next four years – the biggest programme of investment since the end of the Cold War.

It will include £6.6 billion of R&D to boost research into artificial intelligence, future combat air power and other battle-winning technologies, and create 10,000 jobs annually across the entire United Kingdom.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP said: “Today’s Spending Review delivers the priorities of the British people.

"Our health emergency is not yet over, and the economic emergency has only just begun; so our immediate priority is to protect people’s lives and livelihoods.

“But [Wednesday's] Spending Review also delivers stronger public services – paying for new hospitals, better schools and safer streets.

"And it delivers a once-in-a-generation transformation in our approach to infrastructure – creating jobs, growing the economy, and increasing pride in the places people call home.”