On March 6th, the Chancellor delivered his Spring Budget statement to Parliament.
As the cost of living remains high and wage growth falls, we needed measures to alleviate financial pressures on households across the country.
People feel worse off than they did in 2010, and, after 14 years of Conservative government, mortgage rates are up, bills remain high, and fuel prices are astronomical.
Real pay has gone up by just £17 per week since 2010, and families are still suffering the consequences of the disastrous mini budget, which crashed the economy and sent household outlays spiralling.
According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, this is the worst parliament for living standards on record.
Unfortunately, instead of the real measures needed to deal with the financial pressure families are facing, we were presented with an underwhelming Budget promising £46 billion of unfunded tax cuts, leaving a gaping black hole in public finances.
We also needed clear action to tackle the crisis in our public services. After 14 long years of Conservative governments, schools are crumbling, NHS waiting lists are growing longer, and police services do not have the capacity to deal with crimes like shoplifting and antisocial behaviour.
Labour understands that we need to grow our economy, and the last Labour government put more money into the public sector through doing so, and having the capacity to invest.
Investment in our public services and infrastructure would benefit areas like Barnsley East, where it is difficult to secure hospital appointments or access NHS dentistry.
Yet again, Barnsley East have been overlooked for Levelling Up funding in every funding round, despite being deserving by the Government’s own measures. This Budget was an opportunity to award our community the funding it deserves, but once again, we were overlooked, and Government gave money to more affluent areas.
While the Chancellor deprives our towns and public services, people in areas like Barnsley are still suffering the consequences of their economic failure. This is not fair.
A Labour Government would invest more money in our schools and public hospitals, invest in British businesses to unlock tens of millions of pounds for our towns and cities, and we would bring back stability to protect family finances. Crucially, everything in our manifesto will be fully costed.
It is clear that the Conservatives’ time in Government is running out. Even they know this, as they have resorted to borrowing Labour’s policy of removing the non-dom tax status to fund their proposals.
The clock is ticking. It’s time for a Labour Government, committed to restoring our economy.
It’s time for a General Election.