Hopes and fears for the new budget

Charlie Harvey goes to the Emmaus charity's mother and toddler group at the Royal Oak pub-turned-community-hub

The new Labour government's first Budget will be revealed on Wednesday. BBC Politics East went to the Emmaus charity's cafe and the Rosehill Library in Ipswich to find out what people are hoping for.

Charlie Harvey, 24, a mum from Nacton who works as a nursery manager, said childcare and support for parents was her top priority.

"I know there was talk to having 30 hours of free childcare and when you're a working parent that is a big thing," she said.

"I work a 40-hour week and my partner works a 40-hour week. If I didn't have a next door neighbour we wouldn't be able to survive. Obviously the cost of living is crazy right now."

Ms Harvey, who used the toddler group at the cafe in a former pub, said: "I'd love to see more money given for child care... more money needs to be given to nurseries."

Mother-of-two Danielle says the Budget needs to help fund more social housing

Danielle, 31, from Ipswich, who did not want to give her surname, has a three-month-old baby and a 12-year-old who share a bedroom.

She hoped the budget would include investment in social housing, for the benefit of children like her eldest.

"Having to share with a newborn is not her fault. I do find that unacceptable."

Dominique Jackson, 53, is deputy manager of the Emmaus Suffolk charity centre

Dominique Jackson, 53, deputy manager of the Emmaus Suffolk charity centre, said she would like to see the budget providing more support for charities.

Emmaus works with vulnerable, socially isolated or long-term unemployed people and those at risk of homelessness across the county.

"I'd love to see more free childcare and more community spaces, more help for charities to run these community spaces because obviously you have to heat the building and we pay for the food," she said.

"We also like to see more funding for after-school clubs where children are going to get a healthy breakfast.

"I believe it's the only way we are going to start to help a child's mental health also."

David Nicholls worked at Ipswich docks for 25 years

Former Ipswich dock worker David Nicholls, 74, who uses the Rosehill Library, said he hoped the Budget would look at the profits made by energy companies.

He said with Labour having a big majority in the House of Commons, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves can "really hit the gas and electric companies or at least keep their bills down".

Mr Nicholls said any money raised should be "distributed evenly".

Widow Lorna Punt, 73, from Ipswich, is a former shop worker

Widow Lorna Punt, 73, from Ipswich, said: "The last government, they've left a big hole."

But the former shop worker said she was concerned the increased costs of heating would make it difficult for older people to keep warm in the winter.

Mrs Punt said she enjoyed working in a shop as she "loved meeting people".

She said the government seemed to be "targeting the pensioners".

"I have had the letter to say you're not going to get the fuel allowance, which [had been] a big help," she said.

Bob Westacott, 72, was born in Wales but has lived in Ipswich for 38 years

Bob Westacott, 72, worked at Ipswich Hospital as a micro-biologist before retirement.

Wales-born Mr Westacott, who has lived in the town for 38 years, said: "A lot of people have said they are worried about the taking away of the winter fuel allowance.

"I worry about the youngsters who are trying to get by on a wage, which doesn't go far towards costs such as mortgages.

"So any help for that group of people I'd go along with."

He said he was also concerned that "local governments and councils are cutting jobs because their budgets are being cut" which also had a "knock-on effect on the state of roads".

Barbara Nauton would like to see more money going to the NHS

Mother-of-three Barbara Nauton, 73, a retired mental health nurse, said she was like to see more money being spent on the National Health Service.

"I'd like to see the NHS better provided for," she said.

BBC Politics East will be broadcast on Sunday 27 October at 10:00 GMT on BBC One in the East of England, and will be available after broadcast on BBC iPlayer.

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