BOURNEMOUTH East MP Tobias Ellwood thanked the Chancellor for Boscombe's Town Deal funding during a speech in the House of Commons.

Mr Ellwood also welcomed Rishi Sunak's announcements on further economic support relating to the pandemic, such as extending the furlough scheme, continuing the business rates holiday, extending the VAT cut and the freezing of alcohol duties.

He said: "These will all be appreciated in my constituency of Bournemouth East, where tourism and hospitality are so critical."

Starting his Commons address, Mr Ellwood said: "It certainly has been a year like no other, and when we look back at this point we will, of course, reflect on the direct consequences of this pandemic; the impact on livelihoods and the loss of life, and the incredible efforts of the NHS and the military and indeed the volunteers in getting us through this.

"With plans to gradually ease lockdown about to start, this Budget has two simple objectives. Firstly, short-term fiscal support that will assist our workforce until June when the lifting of any final Covid restrictions takes place. Secondly, the introduction of responsible measures designed to begin to rebalance the books after a year of record of borrowing."

On the Boscombe deal, Mr Ellwood said: "I thank the Chancellor for the investment in the Towns Deal fund, £21 million going to Boscombe to help regeneration.

"Something I have been lobbying on, as indeed has the council, for a number of months.

"So we are very grateful for that."