A budget that takes from the poor to make the rich richer
Labour MP Steve Reed has slammed George Osborne’s budget for offering nothing but cuts to Croydon North. The Tory Chancellor has been forced to revise growth forecasts down following his failure to tackle low productivity in the British economy. In a move that shows whose side the Tories are really on, Osborne announced billions of pounds of CUTS for disabled people, but millions of pounds EXTRA for the rich through reductions in corporate tax and handouts for the better off. Other changes will mean deeper cuts in education, police, and basic council services.
After speaking in the House of Commons, Steve Reed said:
This budget is truly dreadful for Croydon. We already have too few doctors for our population, a shortage of school places, and the Tories have closed down every police station in Croydon North. Instead of taking action to put that right, we’re getting more cuts and a cruel assault on the disabled who will lose up to £150 a week each.
The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies point out this budget has a £55bn black hole at its centre, and that will only be dealt with through more cuts or tax hikes in the future. This Chancellor has failed on every front, but it’s people here in Croydon North who are left to pay the price of his failure with low pay, falling living standards, and cuts to the fabric of our community.
Steven Reed is Labour MP for Croydon North and Shadow Minister for Children and Families. In 2018 his private member’s bill on reducing violent mental health restraint became law. In June 2019 he launched Labour’s civil society strategy outlining radical plans to empower citizens and communities.
Steve chairs the Cooperative Councils Innovation Network, co-chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for London, was Leader of Lambeth Council 2006-12 where he led the council’s children’s services to become best-rated in the country and pioneered the public-health approach to tackling violent youth crime. He worked in publishing for 16 years and was an elected trade union branch secretary.