THIS month's budget was the first full Conservative budget since 1996 and – make no mistake – it is an astoundingly good budget that supports communities across the Vale of Glamorgan, puts more money in peoples’ pockets, prioritises the NHS and makes work pay.

Earlier this year I called for a living wage in Wales and in the summer budget, the Chancellor delivered it. I welcome the new National Living Wage wholeheartedly. This is one of the biggest examples of Conservatives delivering in government in living memory. It rewards hard work, it means nine pounds an hour by 2020 and every political party in Wales should echo our thoughts and applaud the announcement.

Across Wales, 167 thousand people have already been taken out of income tax by Conservatives in government, while 1.2 million have had an income tax cut. And we will not stop there. Not just a living wage – but fuel duty frozen again, with the average driver having already saved 675 pounds since Labour’s fuel duty escalator was scrapped, an increase to the tax-free personal allowance, from £10,800, to £11,000 from next April, and a further promise of guaranteed levels of funding for Wales.

This budget is about aspiration. It promotes security and it ensures families are better off. Recently in Rhoose, in the Vale of Glamorgan, the Welsh Conservatives launched an innovative offer for first-time buyers in Wales, led by a six month council tax holiday. In the budget, there was confirmation of the introduction of a Help to Buy ISA. More support. More help to get on the housing ladder.

In a time of increasing uncertainty in the world, there was also a commitment to meet the NATO target of spending two per cent of GDP on defence which will go some way to ensuring British people can feel safe both at home and abroad.

The Welsh NHS will benefit as result of today’s budget too. In Wales, it’s managed by Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay. They’ve refused to protect the health budget, despite the UK government protecting England’s NHS. The Chancellor is to provide an additional eight billion pounds and further proof of Conservative priorities. That will mean more money for Wales and I implore Labour ministers to use it wisely and ease the pressure they’ve piled on our frontline staff.

Andrew RT Davies