'It would be terrible if pensioners had to pay tax'

Barbara her dog Dolly have been looking ahead to the Budget

"I'm not really perhaps the right one to ask because I'm 85 on Saturday and I've never voted once in my life."

Barbara Merrick may not be interested in elections, but she's got plenty to say about how those who are elected should be running the country.

"The Conservatives blame Labour, Labour blame the Conservatives - they're like a load of children," explained Ms Merrick.

She was among a number of people at Cheddar Country Market in Somerset wanting to talk ahead of the Budget on 26 November.

In a speech in early November Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she would make the "necessary choices" for the economy to bring down NHS waiting lists, the national debt and the cost of living.

She's no longer expected to raise income tax rates in the Budget but could still decide to raise money by freezing the thresholds at which income tax rates are introduced and other taxes could also be increased.

Another market customer, Lynne Hamlyn, was concerned more people receiving the state pension could end up paying income tax.

"I think that would be terrible," she said.

Experts have said someone with no other income aside from the new state pension is set to be a taxpayer come April 2027.

The new flat-rate state pension - for those who reached state pension age after April 2016 - is expected to increase to £12,534.60 a year in 2026.

The personal tax allowance - the amount of income permitted each year without paying income tax - is £12,570 and is already set to remain at the same level until 2028.

There is speculation the Chancellor could extend this freeze in her Budget speech.

Ms Hamlyn said she felt if government departments cut back on "wastage" they could spend that money on more police and better council services.

Moira Taylor said her weekly supermarket delivery has gone from £70 to £100.

"If I can't meet my bills every month, I cut out my shopping," she said.

Ms Taylor also wants to see more investment in services and has a suggestion where the Chancellor could find money to pay for this.

"There's an awful lot of rich people in this country who've got so much money they don't know what to do with it.

"They've got yachts and villas and houses everywhere. Tax them."

Moira Taylor says she is cutting back on food shopping to make ends meet

Another customer, Mary Evans, said she was "fortunate" to be in a position where she "could probably absorb what might be in the budget."

"But for younger families having to pay mortgages, it's going to be really tough for them," she said.

Barbara Merrick would like to see the NHS prioritised.

She has just had a cortisone injection at the GP that morning following a fall in the bath.

"Things like that make my life a bit easier," she said.

She also was one of a handful at the market to mention the government's winter fuel payments cut and subsequent reinstatement - "that was the worst," Ms Merrick said.

Shambles Carnival Club chair Scott Witcombe said the cost of living was still a 'real struggle'

In another part of Somerset, volunteers at Shepton Mallet Carnival were preparing their cart for another night of the huge illuminated processions which travel the county at this time of year.

Electrician Scott Witcombe said the cost of living remained "a real struggle for everybody, including the carnival."

"It's so expensive to turn this out - it's cost us probably £30,000 this year."

His wife, hairdresser Tracey Witcombe wanted "more help for younger people to get their foot on the ladder" as well as support for small businesses.

Her message for the Chancellor: "Think about the bigger picture - it's not all about the people who live in London, think of those who live in towns and smaller cities.

"A long hard look in the mirror, I would say."

Elaine Reynolds has recently retired, along with her husband.

Back at the country market, newly-retired Elaine Reynolds would like to see more support for people on low incomes who use the foodbank she helps to run.

"There are people who just can't get out of a sinking hole.

"They shouldn't be in a position where they have to use a foodbank but they just can't make ends meet - the cost of living is going up so much."