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Press Cycle 13 - The Budget

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General Goose
(@general-goose)
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Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 362
 

During the election campaign the Liberal Democrats called for dramatic increases in investment in mental health, to take the challenges of mental health provision seriously and fight the imbalances and inequalities facing those struggling with mental health. This budget provides an extra £1 billion earmarked for mental health services, above increases in line with the rate of inflation. This means faster response services, more professionals and more specialists, getting rid of treatment cliff-edges, and more support for people throughout their mental health journey. 

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The Liberal Democrats promised a substantial expansion of capital investment during the election campaign and already we have delivered upon that. Britain has historically fallen behind other nations in having sufficient funding sources available for big new housing developments, vital new infrastructure schemes, and the investments in localities and businesses needed to kickstart economic innovation. Because of the Liberal Democrats, we have now built this capacity. We have created the British Business Bank and the Housing and Infrastructure Development Bank, following up the work of the Regional Growth Fund and Green Investment Bank that we pioneered in the last coalition. 

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The national scandal of homelessness and rough sleeping is something that is imperative upon all politicians to address. In our last manifesto, the Liberal Democrats laid out the nation's only comprehensive strategy to put an end to this crisis. With this budget, the Liberal Democrats have secured a vital first step - a £250 million homelessness action fund, to deliver age-appropriate emergency accommodation and supported housing, dedicated services in health and education for the homeless, and ensuring there is access to at least one provider of a Housing First model in each local authority. Coupled with increased build of social homes and reforms to the benefits system to make sure no family falls between cracks in the social safety net into homelessness, and this budget is a tremendous step forward. 

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It is very telling that the Shadow Chancellor, in her response to the Chancellor's speech, did not talk about the NHS, did not talk about schools, did not talk about poverty. This is because the coalition has a plan when it comes to the NHS, schools and social mobility, the Conservatives do not. The Conservatives either accepting that they've lost the battle of ideas on that front or they're just dismissing those issues as beneath their concern. We have secured countless victories on these fronts - more than doubling the pupil premium, hiring 10,000 nurses, ending unfair sanctions on people with disabilities, setting up a fund to fight period poverty in our schools - that everyone can be grateful for. 

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What we have with the budget is a budget that, by promoting lifelong learning and social opportunity, creates an environment that allows entrepreneurs and innovators from every social background to thrive. We have set up a British Business Bank to provide patient and flexible funding sources for new businesses, created an Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to promote those entrepreneurs tackling big social and economic challenges, provided a 2% cut in corporation tax for small businesses, and created 15,000 new apprenticeship spaces. If you're an aspiring innovator or disruptor, this budget will give you the chance to make your ideas heard. 

Graham Adiputera (Lib Dem - Sutton and Cheam)
Deputy Prime Minister
Liberal Democrat Leader
Foreign Secretary
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Climate Change
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Technology

Parliamentary - 36
Media - 53
Policy - 48


   
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General Goose
(@general-goose)
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Posts: 362
 

A lot of the debate around this budget has been shrouded in misunderstanding - in parts caused by the politics of fear propagated by Conservative MPs, including a Shadow Chancellor who got some basic figures wrong in her speech. Let's go over the basics: the current spending deficit is going down, we are making up for massive shortcomings in investment in our future, we're closing tax loopholes and increasing pollution taxes, hospital and schools spending is going up dramatically, the tax free personal allowance is going up, small business taxes are coming down. This budget is, simply put, one that delivers for the British people and delivers on the pledges made within the Liberal Democrat manifesto. 

Graham Adiputera (Lib Dem - Sutton and Cheam)
Deputy Prime Minister
Liberal Democrat Leader
Foreign Secretary
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Climate Change
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Technology

Parliamentary - 36
Media - 53
Policy - 48


   
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Macmillan
(@dylan-macmillan)
MP for North East Bedfordshire Registered
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 560
 

This Government's reckless attitude to pensions is becoming more and more apparent by the day. Not only did the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats abandon their coalition agreement pledge to maintain the Triple Lock, prompting a Tory-led campaign to force them to u-turn, but they have cut the Pension Tax Relief as well. The message that this Government are sending to our pensioners is very simple "we don't care about you", the message they are sending to our young people is the much more sinister "don't even bother to save for old age". This Government have gotten it completely wrong on pensions, only the Conservative Party can be trusted to protect our nation's future.

Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire
Leader of the Opposition (2014-16)

Prime Minister (2014)

Parliamentary Experience: Novice (25)
Media Experience: Experienced (62)
Policy Experience: Novice (29)


   
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Macmillan
(@dylan-macmillan)
MP for North East Bedfordshire Registered
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 560
 

For all their words about reversing the so-called "clerical error" with regards to pensions and armed forces pay the Government haven't actually returned to the House to table an amendment. How can the public trust the Government when they pledge to do something and then simply don't do it. First they pledged to keep the pensions triple lock and implement an armed forces triple lock, then they pledged to keep those pledges when they were found out for trying to break them. Now they've clearly decided that they'd just prefer to keep on breaking them instead. It's shameful.

Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire
Leader of the Opposition (2014-16)

Prime Minister (2014)

Parliamentary Experience: Novice (25)
Media Experience: Experienced (62)
Policy Experience: Novice (29)


   
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Macmillan
(@dylan-macmillan)
MP for North East Bedfordshire Registered
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 560
 

This Government are so totally clueless about our NHS that they would build capacity for 5000 new hospital beds without enough GPs, Nurses, or Support staff to actually work the wards. This Government have proven once again that they cannot be trusted to look after our NHS. For all their grand statements they seem to have a complete lack of understanding of NHS staffing requirements.

Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire
Leader of the Opposition (2014-16)

Prime Minister (2014)

Parliamentary Experience: Novice (25)
Media Experience: Experienced (62)
Policy Experience: Novice (29)


   
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Macmillan
(@dylan-macmillan)
MP for North East Bedfordshire Registered
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 560
 

What is Juliet Manning doing in the Home Office? It clearly isn't looking out for our thousands of prison guards and workers and it clearly isn't keeping proper conditions for our nations prison population. This Budget is disastrous for our nation's prisons because at a time when prison populations are rising the Government have chosen to cut down on the number of prison places available. The Government may be content to put our prison workers at risk by bringing about more and more overcrowding but I am not. It is clear that the only party of true justice and the protection of our society is the Conservative Party.

Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire
Leader of the Opposition (2014-16)

Prime Minister (2014)

Parliamentary Experience: Novice (25)
Media Experience: Experienced (62)
Policy Experience: Novice (29)


   
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William Croft
(@william-croft)
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Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 260
 

The government's budget has been moved to a second reading, despite the fact that the pension Triple Lock protections are know where to be found, armed services pay is still below what was promised, and prisons remain woefully underfunded and unprepared to handle incoming inmates. Once again we get a glimpse into the inner workings of this government - all talk, and no action. Time and time again we're receiving the same talking points from the Prime Minister and her Cabinet: don't worry, we'll fix it. And I guess we should take their word for it, right? 

The problems we pointed out in the budget remain unresolved, but surely the government will fix it. The Prime Minister admitted the coalition has no long term deficit reduction plan, but surely the government will fix it. There aren't enough nurses and doctors to staff the new hospitals that are to be built, but surely the government will fix it! As the problems with this budget built on broken promises continue to pile up, the government's response remains disappointingly consistent. Ignore the problem until it can't be ignored, find someone or something to blame, and then promise to fix the issue with no real intention of doing anything at all. 

The British people deserve a better budget, and they deserve a better government. 

William Croft
Member of Parliament for Bracknell
Shadow Foreign Secretary
Chairman of the Conservative Party
Chief Whip of the Conservative party


   
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Sylviane Jaubert
(@ege)
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Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 155
 

The Leader of the Opposition has said “It is clear that the only party of true justice and the protection of our society is the Conservative Party.” I find this quote, quite ironic, and if the subject wasn’t so serious maybe a bit exhilarating. Let’s look at the last Conservative Party government’s record on crime, justice and protection of our society. Tories have gutted our police force and kicked off more than 10 thousand police officers and made our streets less safe. This had a stark effect in our streets, longer response times, less safe streets and more crime. That is the Tory record. While our remaining police officers had more to work on, they were also working for less. More work with less pay, is that how the only party of true justice, and the protection of our society should sound like, definitely not.

When we look at my government’s record, we are paying our police above inflation increases. We are hiring 20 thousand police officers, more than Tories kicked off. Our police force is getting the attention and funding they deserve. They are getting their fair share of pay, they are getting the number of police officers that they need to attend their duties and keep our streets safe. In order to recruit more police officers, we will continue to pay above inflation increases. Finally, we are scrapping Police and Crime Commissioners, a colossal waste of funds, whose only service is to fulfill Tory dreams and absolutely do nothing. That is our record on crime and justice. If you want flashy words and smiles on crime and justice, Tories have that. If you want real action on crime and justice, my government has that.

Sylviane Jaubert MP
MP for Cynon Valley

Formerly as The Rt Hon Ariadne "Ari" Suchet MP
Former Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party

"TrashPotato Today at 2:11 AM
my friend offered me a bottle of vodka and i sucked the vodka out the bottle like a baby sucking a titty"


   
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William Croft
(@william-croft)
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Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 260
 

The government's budget is an attack on British business, imposing tax hikes that will undermine growth and starve businesses of the investment they need. In a vicious double whammy for Britain's businesses, the radical Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition has simultaneously increased capital gains tax and raised the bank levy. In doing so, they've sent a message to investors that Britain is no longer open for business. Raising the capital gains tax will disincentive investors in Britain and abroad from investing in British business, and deprive everyday Briton's from the opportunity of becoming shareholders and part-owners of British businesses. The increase in the bank levy has already undermined confidence in British markets, with other global cities maneuvering to take advantage of this disastrous budget and position themselves as the world's new financial capitol. 

This budget has confirmed what we already knew: Labour cannot be trusted with the management of the British economy. The government's tax increases may help them fund their ludicrous spending projects, but in the long term they will cost everyday Britons who will suffer as a result of less new investment in business and banks that are less willing to provide loans. The government does not know what they're doing when it comes to our country's finances, and the British people will be left footing the bill for their mistakes. 

William Croft
Member of Parliament for Bracknell
Shadow Foreign Secretary
Chairman of the Conservative Party
Chief Whip of the Conservative party


   
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Sylviane Jaubert
(@ege)
Member Registered
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 155
 

We have fixed the Pension Triple Lock and Armed Forces pay, the funding levels are at where they are. Tories are simply lying about it. We made a mistake and fixed it before it can affect our pensioners and servicepeople. Tories do not care about our pensioners and servicepeople, they just want to turn this into a political point where they can attack the government on lies.

 

Shall we look at the Tory record, Tories have increased the VAT, when they promised not to. That means higher groceries for everyone including pensioners and our servicepeople. Tories have gutted the Department of Defence and reduced their budget by 21 percent in net terms, that is not how you support our servicepeople.

 

When it comes to Tory record on Adult Social Care, let’s look at the record. Under Tories there was a 10 percent cut on adult social care, a 31 percent decline in use of social care for those who are above 65 and with physical disabilities and more in other forms of disabilities. A sharp increase in referrals for abuse of vulnerable adults. That is the Tory policy. We are investing 400 million pounds to social care, 750 million in community mental healthcare and 250 million in mental health secondary and long term care. Tories have their flashy words and empty promises, while this government is delivering real care and support for our pensioners and servicepeople.

Sylviane Jaubert MP
MP for Cynon Valley

Formerly as The Rt Hon Ariadne "Ari" Suchet MP
Former Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party

"TrashPotato Today at 2:11 AM
my friend offered me a bottle of vodka and i sucked the vodka out the bottle like a baby sucking a titty"


   
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Macmillan
(@dylan-macmillan)
MP for North East Bedfordshire Registered
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 560
 

Ariadne Suchet is still lying to the British people, she claims the Budget has been amended to include the Triple Locks on Armed Forces pay and pensions yet no such amendment has been tabled. Indeed no member of the Government has so much as mentioned the armed forces or pensions in the entire debate. Is this another "error" or is the Prime Minister just lying to the British people?

Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire
Leader of the Opposition (2014-16)

Prime Minister (2014)

Parliamentary Experience: Novice (25)
Media Experience: Experienced (62)
Policy Experience: Novice (29)


   
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Anthony Harte
(@anthony-harte)
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Posts: 27
 

It has been amended- the documentation is clear for any Member of Parliament to see when they look up from the sheet of talking points that the Opposition so clearly, if not cleverly, handed out to their colleagues. But short of a couple of bullet points about an error that has been addressed, the Opposition has nothing to say about this budget. The Conservatives care so little about funding the needs of the people of Great Britain that they can't even be bothered to do their own budget proposal. No wonder it's so easy for the Opposition to attack everything as too radical and too foolish- because they can't even prove the maths on their own promises add up. Meanwhile, this Government is delivering- for education, for welfare, for the NHS, while making great strides in bringing our financial house in order. We're putting more cops on the streets and doctors in our hospitals, while the most the Conservatives can cook up is "well, we're better but we can't prove how." 

Anthony Harte MP
Wirral West | Labour Party
Parliamentary: 1
Media: 1
Policy: 3

(Prior to 1 July 2019: Asil Ediboglu)


   
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Macmillan
(@dylan-macmillan)
MP for North East Bedfordshire Registered
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 560
 

If the Chancellor had any decency then he would resign as many more competent Ministers who's departments made "mistakes" before him did. But to his criticism that the Opposition have not said anything about the budget beyond their utter betrayal of millions of pensioners that is an utter lie. This Budget is bad for healthcare in this country, it builds capacity for 5000 new hospital beds but doesn't even manage to fully staff the wards they'll be placed in. This Budget is bad for justice and security, seeing 1000 fewer prison places at a time when the prison population is growing. Whichever way you slice it this budget is bad for Britain, the Chancellor's resignation won't fix that but it might make the next budget a little less terrible, not to mention see him actually respect constitutional convention when his own department makes a mistake.

Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire
Leader of the Opposition (2014-16)

Prime Minister (2014)

Parliamentary Experience: Novice (25)
Media Experience: Experienced (62)
Policy Experience: Novice (29)


   
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Macmillan
(@dylan-macmillan)
MP for North East Bedfordshire Registered
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 560
 

Pensioners just cannot catch a break with this Government. First a "clerical error" that the Chancellor still hasn't resigned for saw their triple lock temporarily abolished, then pension tax relief was halved to help pay for the Government's reckless spending agenda, now in fixing the triple lock the Government have seen fit to un-index Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Payments and Over-75s TV Licences from inflation. In other words every year under this Government your pension credit, winter fuel payments, and TV licences will not be automatically protected from inflation. This Government is waging war on pensioners, it needs to stop before it drives more into pension poverty.

Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire
Leader of the Opposition (2014-16)

Prime Minister (2014)

Parliamentary Experience: Novice (25)
Media Experience: Experienced (62)
Policy Experience: Novice (29)


   
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Sir Geoffrey Birch
(@sir-geoffrey)
MP for Bexhill & Battle Registered
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 98
 

Chancellor Catastrophe strikes again! In his haste to fix the Triple Lock debacle, the Chancellor has now removed index-linking from all benefits. This cuts Personal Independence Payments by almost £80 a year and Housing Benefit by more than £90 per year. This is either yet another mistake from the Chancellor, or an effort to recoup the costs of his earlier ones. The Chancellor needs to clarify the record immediately.

Sir Geoffrey Birch | Conservative Party
MP for Bexhill & Battle (2001-present)
Former MP for Northampton South (1983-1997)
Parliamentary experience: Novice (28)
Media experience: Novice (22)
Policy experience: Unknown (12)

Formerly: Deborah Carpenter, Conservative, MP for Hertford & Stortford, Former Chancellor of the Exchequer


   
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