PC 11: Budget

User avatar
Blakesley
A-team
A-team
Posts: 292
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 5:19 am
XP: 14
Trait(s): None
Discord username: Blakesley

PC 11: Budget

Post by Blakesley »

Is the budget good for Britain? Or is it a flaming hot mess of Flamin' Hot Cheetos?

NB: this press cycle will run to the end of the budget debate and not a moment longer.
Blakesley
Treasury | Labour
User avatar
Rebecca Flair
Posts: 172
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2021 8:15 pm
Constituency: Westmorland and Lonsdale
XP: 0
Trait(s): None
Discord username: DylPickle

Re: PC 11: Budget

Post by Rebecca Flair »

I am extremely disappointed by the ambition shown by the Labour Party's new budget, or rather the lack of ambition shown by it. Rather commendably the Blair Administration built up a surplus of over £15bn, but a surplus is of no use to the nation if it is not then spent on the nation's priorities. Take for example the tax plans for the Government and the Liberal Democrats, the Government have slightly raised the threshold of the lowest rate of Income Tax, the Liberal Democrats have abolished the lower rate, equalised National Insurance to give people a double tax cut, and cut VAT to the lowest possible level under EU Law. These tax plans represent tremendous savings for everyone in our nation except for a select few right at the very highest level of earnings. The Government had a chance to show real leadership and take the initiative when it comes to taxation in this country, sadly they have squandered it.
Rebecca Flair
MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale 2010 - Present

Leader of the Liberal Democrats 2015 - Present
User avatar
Amelia Lockhart
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 1:00 pm
Constituency: Great Grimsby
XP: 7
Trait(s): None
Discord username: Croslandfan

Re: PC 11: Budget

Post by Amelia Lockhart »

This is a fiscally responsible budget that provides a solid foundation for our economy to grow and for businesses to invest. The abolition of the starting rate of corporation tax will help small businesses and start-ups thrive, while investment in R&D will support companies to innovate across our country. These will help to continue the sustainable path for growth since 1997, unemployment to fall, and inflation to remain stable. There is no return to the previous Conservative Government’s boom and bust with our budget: our public finances, economy and business environment is safe with Labour.
Amelia Lockhart
Labour Party
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (2001 - )
MP for Great Grimsby (1992 - )

Deputy Prime Minister (2001 - )
Secretary of State for Business, Transport and Social Mobility (2001 - )


Secretary of State for Health (1999 - 2001)
Minister of State for Public Health (1997 - 1999)
User avatar
Sir Jack Anderson
Posts: 105
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:22 pm
Constituency: Southampton Test
XP: 7
Trait(s): None
Discord username: TrashPotato#4034

Re: PC 11: Budget

Post by Sir Jack Anderson »

This budget delivers on Labour's commitment to fiscal responsibility, to fair taxes and to investing in our public services.

I know for so many the past decade has been hard, and even this Labour government has had to make difficult choices and sacrifices. While we must still be prudent and responsible, the British public can finally begin to enjoy the fruits of Labour's sound financial management: we've retained the surplus and when adjusting to current spending we've built on it; we've put unprecedented amounts of funds into schools, hospitals and police and we've ensured that only those wishing to seek a house worth 3x more than the national average, you will see your taxes cut.
Sir Jack Anderson
Labour Party.
Member of Parliament for Southampton Test
Chair of the Treasury Select Committee. (2000-2001)
Chancellor of the Exchequer. (2001-)
First Secretary of State. (2001-)
User avatar
Rebecca Flair
Posts: 172
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2021 8:15 pm
Constituency: Westmorland and Lonsdale
XP: 0
Trait(s): None
Discord username: DylPickle

Re: PC 11: Budget

Post by Rebecca Flair »

I was most disappointed to see the Labour Party continue their crusade against welfare with a real terms freeze in nearly every benefit. This is particularly egregious when we consider benefits like Statutory Sick Pay and Incapacity Benefit, both of which are paid to people who find themselves physically incapable of work at the present time. These people are not shirkers, they are not skiving work to live off the generosity of the British taxpayer, they could be anyone and their affliction could affect anyone. It is not morally right for these individuals to be left with living standards stagnant through no fault of their own when, unlike with unemployment benefits, they have no way out to greener pastures. The Labour Party is building their fiscal responsibility off the backs of the sick and the vulnerable, and that says it all about New Labour really.
Rebecca Flair
MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale 2010 - Present

Leader of the Liberal Democrats 2015 - Present
User avatar
Sir Jack Anderson
Posts: 105
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:22 pm
Constituency: Southampton Test
XP: 7
Trait(s): None
Discord username: TrashPotato#4034

Re: PC 11: Budget

Post by Sir Jack Anderson »

Instead of a rush for low taxation as some have advocated, Labour is calling for fair taxes. That way, we can lower the tax burden on the majority of Brits without compromising our financial position or return to boom and bust economics.

In this budget alone, we've lifted the poorest out of income tax altogether, cut fuel duty by a penny and frozen the vast majority of duties - leading to a real terms cut - without raising taxes. While we aim to put the income tax rate to 20% and abolish the starting rate of income tax, we know this must be done sustainably, responsibly and gradually: in these races, the tortoise always beats the hare.
Sir Jack Anderson
Labour Party.
Member of Parliament for Southampton Test
Chair of the Treasury Select Committee. (2000-2001)
Chancellor of the Exchequer. (2001-)
First Secretary of State. (2001-)
User avatar
Rebecca Flair
Posts: 172
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2021 8:15 pm
Constituency: Westmorland and Lonsdale
XP: 0
Trait(s): None
Discord username: DylPickle

Re: PC 11: Budget

Post by Rebecca Flair »

Whatever you call the Labour Budget you most definitely cannot call it a rush for low taxation. Whilst the Lib Dem Budget makes the average family over £800 better off by abolishing the bottom rate of Income Tax and equalising the personal allowance thresholds for Income Tax and National Insurance and cuts everyday prices by 2.5% with a VAT reduction the Government increases the bottom rate threshold to £5000 and calls it a day. This startling lack of ambition is exactly the reason that the Liberal Democrats are the only party that can be trusted to deliver World Class national services and low but fair taxes for the United Kingdom.
Rebecca Flair
MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale 2010 - Present

Leader of the Liberal Democrats 2015 - Present
User avatar
Andy Edwards
Posts: 90
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:30 pm
Constituency: Ellesmere Port and Neston
XP: 6
Trait(s): None
Discord username: aboltik

Re: PC 11: Budget

Post by Andy Edwards »

The Government's budget demonstrates just what happens when you maintain sensible spending plans and promote real fiscal responsibility: our economy continues to grow while globally we're seeing governments cut back in response to a recession. Unemployment is down, prices are stable, and wages are rising in a real, meaningful way for those who are working in the United Kingdom. So it's all the more important that we continue down that path- rather than dive head-first into the push for big spending and then big cuts from the other Parties.

At the same time, we're making record investments in public services to make sure that the promises we've made to the British people are fulfilled. We've promised investments in the NHS- and we're delivering; we're putting money in that will help cut waiting times and improve service delivery for all. We've promised investments in transportation- and we're delivering. We promised to deliver for working parents and are doing more to provide free child care to those families that need it than ever before. The Government's policies have helped the UK avoid the worst of a global recession, and we're still reducing the tax burden on workers and families while making record investments in public services. This is the kind of responsibility that works for Britain. I'm proud that this budget moves us in the right path of doing more now and in the future- it's better to have this than it is the ups and downs of big spending- then big cuts- that we're seeing proposed from other sides.
Andrew Edwards MP
MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston (1992-) | Labour
Secretary of State for the Home Office (2001-)
User avatar
Sir Jack Anderson
Posts: 105
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:22 pm
Constituency: Southampton Test
XP: 7
Trait(s): None
Discord username: TrashPotato#4034

Re: PC 11: Budget

Post by Sir Jack Anderson »

I didn't appreciate Rebecca Flair's rhetoric about me 'crusading against welfare' when social security spending has risen significantly under Labour's budget, with every form of benefit payment at least protected. Our changes to working tax credit are one of the many which put hundreds into the pockets of hard workers who need it most - those changes will make real improvements to people who endure poverty or hardship, and I am proud of them.

But Rebecca has apologised for her error, and I think it is a good thing she values the benefit Working Tax Credits in uplifting those who need assistance the most: I hope to build a real consensus in Parliament against the scourge of poverty or hardship. We all make mistakes, especially when we're young, and I think Rebecca is humble enough to move on and learn from this awkward situation.
Sir Jack Anderson
Labour Party.
Member of Parliament for Southampton Test
Chair of the Treasury Select Committee. (2000-2001)
Chancellor of the Exchequer. (2001-)
First Secretary of State. (2001-)
User avatar
Brown
A-team
A-team
Posts: 495
Joined: Wed Dec 09, 2020 1:27 pm
XP: 0
Trait(s):
Discord username: Brown#6350

Re: PC 11: Budget

Post by Brown »

I'm very proud of this budget that delivers for the whole of the United Kingdom and local governments as well. The Chancellor has done an excellent job ensuring that funding to local government, increasing our investment in critical local government services measurably while also ensuring that the rise in council tax is its lowest increase since its creation, and has risen less than wages this past year. This is a considerable victory for Local Government and, indeed, all Britons. I am also delighted to see an increase in funding to transportation, the environment, and a myriad of other critical public services that will ensure a sound investment for the United Kingdom, not just in the next year, but for decades and generations to come by ensuring that we fund services important to our nation's well-being, while also being fiscally responsible. This is truly a sensible, responsible budget that will invest in the UK and its future.
What can Brown do for you?
Locked

Return to “Marked Press Cycles & Speeches”