I’m a bit of a naive romantic, I know, but I always considered the Labour Party as akin to Robin Hood; take from the rich and give to the poor. Needless to say I felt a bit let down by the limp Spring Statement delivered by Rachel Reeves. The aim of her budget, she announced, was to deliver prosperity for working people and improve lives. That sounds great, but actions speak louder than words, and I couldn’t find anything in the budget to support them.
The background is set against reductions and proposed cuts. Pensioners had already had winter fuel payments cut. Eligibility for PIP payments, designed to help people with disabilities, is due to be restricted.The Government wants to become more efficient and reduce its own service costs by 15%. These are measures to cut expenditure, not improve lives.
Stamp duty has increased, making it more expensive to buy a property and employers’ national insurance contributions are up. These are to make money for the Government, not improve lives.
Carla Denyer from the Green Party called this month “Awful April”. On top of all the cuts, it’s the month when most of us see our household bills rise. These include Council Tax, energy bills and broadband. Some things you have a choice in who provides them or whether to have them at all, but, for example, my own water bill from United Utilities has increased by £122.15 this year and there is no other provider locally.
The minimum wage has gone up, so have state pensions. While this is good news, as the tax threshold stays frozen some of the increases will be eaten up in tax and then disappear paying increased bills.
Investment will be on increased defence spending and housing. In respect to housing this won’t mean providing money, but a change to planning to make it easier to get schemes approved.
I’m not saying being the Chancellor is easy but a short term balancing of the books won’t get us anywhere. There are a lot of more creative ways to increase revenue. One is through tax reform, including increases for the highest earners and those with the most assets. Then you need to spend money to get the economy moving again. That could be in better public transport or funded energy efficient social housing. These would improve lives.
So I don’t know who abducted the Spirit of the Labour Party, but for the sake of us all, please give it back. Otherwise that prosperous future the Chancellor says she wants won’t be happening anytime soon.
Jane Hall
Green Party Member