Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s spring budget brought with it the supposed good news was that we will not go into recession. Ideally, an announcement from the Chancellor highlights a growing economy; as citizens of the UK, we are all well aware that this is not the case and has not been for many years.
Families are still struggling with the most significant fall in living standards in modern times. This simple fact has not been accommodated in this budget. The rise in corporation tax has upset the business community and done nothing for smaller high-street businesses, who are in essence the fabric of the communities in which they operate. Our care system is in the midst of a crisis, at a breaking point really: instead of prioritising those who need this care and their loved ones, social care has become yet another tool in the pursuit of profit.
The decision by this conservative government to give a tax cut to the rich, further helping the 1% of the top earners, while lifting the ‘lifetime cap’ on pensions giving rich people an additional £75,000 a year during a time when a fifth of the country is now considered under the poverty line is so very questionable; these changes will cost all taxpayers a billion pounds a year, but only a tiny group of people with a lot of money will reap the benefits. Why could the Chancellor not have been more empathetic?
We understand the need for doctors to return to work, but those negotiations should have been a separate scheme; initiating a TAX BREAK for the 1% is the wrong priority for the wrong people at the wrong time.
The magical ‘rabbit in the hat’ was to increase childcare assistance, a scheme which was originally suggested by the Labour Party. The scheme announced the increase of free childcare to 30 hours per week for children over nine months until the age of five, alongside boosts to subsidised childcare for parents on Universal Credit, including upfront support. However, this won’t kick in for another two years and help is required now; the only good thing to come out of this is that both Labour and Conservatives will make it an election promise, leaving us with an extraordinary policy. 
If the Labour Party did not force the Conservative government to introduce a Windfall Tax, they would have let them keep their money. Even the Shell Boss said we should have a Windfall Tax. We live in difficult times, and we should go far as required to help the vulnerable in our society.
In regards to the NHS, one of the most used public services in this country, the Chancellor should have taken into consideration some other Labour ideas, such as:
- Training a new generation of doctors & nurses so that we can treat patients on time again!
- Doubling the number of district nurses qualifying yearly and train more than 5,000 new health visitors
- Doubling the number of medical school places, in order to provide us with the doctors we need for the NHS
Oh well, there is next year’s budget; whether the NHS can cope in the terrible state, it is in until then is another debate in itself.
We are being asked to pay more for less as the economy is not growing fast enough. If we had more economic growth, the Chancellor would have more room to raise spending and cut taxes; for now, I am patiently waiting for the experts to come in and discover all of the HIDDEN tax rises and unravel this absurd budget which is catering to so few of among us.
It is time for a new government, a government that will tackle inequality and create a fairer taxation system that benefits the whole country, not leaving people to sink or swim. It is time for an active government, one who is on the side of the people.
The Conservatives are out of ideas and time, and we need a Labour government now. Sir Keir Starmer’s response to the Chancellor’s budget.