Debbie down on Budget

Debbie Abrahams MP

OLDHAM East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams criticised yesterday’s Budget as having “unfairness at its core”.

The Labour MP said: “This Budget highlights this Government’s economic failures with growth revised down once again and a Chancellor who is breaking his own fiscal rules.

“Thanks to George Osborne borrowing in 2015 was £74 billion more than he had promised. As a result of this we’re now in debt to the tune of £1,600 billion - that’s over 80 per cent of our gross domestic product, and the Chancellor has failed his own target to cut the debt to GDP ratio. It just shows that Osborne’s so-called recovery is built on sand.”

Mrs Abrahams, who is also the Shadow Minister for Disabled People, added that the budget will have a significant impact for those relying on disability benefits.

“Since 2012 over four million disabled people have lost £24 billion worth of benefits through Government cuts and 640,000 will be affected by the changes to Personal Independence Payments.”

She added that she welcomed the support given to small businesses, including cuts in business rates, although raised concerns about how it will affect local authorities already struggling through difficult financial situation.