Charlotte’s response to Budget 2024

Today’s Budget was more of the same – the Tories giving with one hand and taking with the other.

This Budget confirms the UK has the highest tax burden in 70 years, rising every year of the forecast period despite the announcements today. OBR figures show that for every 10p extra working people will pay in tax under the Tories’ plan, they will only be getting 5p back as a result of the combined NICs cut. And, of course, those on the lowest incomes will see the least benefit.

Meanwhile, public services are crumbling with the headroom that was available being frittered away instead of directed to where it’s most needed.

But you don’t have to just take my word for it. The

Institute of Directors said it was an ‘Unremarkable Budget for business’, UK Hospitality said it has ‘Very little for hospitality businesses’, and the British Retail Consortium said it ‘Will do nothing to turbo charge investment and growth in communities’. This isn’t a plan for growth.

Taxes are still rising, prices are still going up in the shops and mortgages are higher. Nothing Jeremy Hunt has said today changes that.

It’s time for change. It’s time for an election.

6 March 2024