It's midday, and a group of Thurrock residents who work in the care and charity sectors, run shops and sell houses have come together to watch the first femaleThere is a nervousness and even a little fear in the room about whether they will have to shoulder the burden of tax measures to raise billions.Known for having a bankrupt local council that still has a £1bn debt, the borough is situated between London and Essex.
Before the chancellor stood up in the Commons, conversation among the group was about the difficulty in accessing health services, with some heading over the Dartford Crossing to Kent or going private. Mr Paddick said the budget "didn't feel quite as painful as people were expecting" but worried his family would be hit by inheritance tax changes.
As someone who earns part of his income from rent and shares, he was worried he would face a higher rate "but that fear didn't come true".