Today’s budget was an opportunity for the Government to tackle the inequality which fuelled both the Covid-19 crisis and its economic aftermath. Instead, the Chancellor has delivered a budget which manifestly fails to deliver a fairer economy or clear roadmap to recovery.
Where was the focus on supporting new jobs? People in Chadderton, Oldham and Royton needed to know that the government would be relentless in its focus to get people back into work. But there was nothing designed to tackle unemployment as it reaches 10% here in Oldham West & Royton.
The budget showed that the Conservatives want to go back to the same insecure economy and unequal country that people in towns like ours have put up with for far too long. There was no mention of schools or teachers, crime, our NHS or social care. But there was room for a stamp duty bung to second homeowners whilst working people are struggling to make ends meet. The Chancellor’s priorities are way out of touch with working people in this country.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 