The Budget- an empty set of propositions?
1st April 2011
Alan Whitehead has slammed the Government’s commitments to green issues and stimulating growth in the economy in this week’s debates on Budget 2011.
In his speech Dr Whitehead criticised the single-minded focus of the Government on cuts over growth to reduce the deficit:
“This Budget trumpets much about growth. In truth, however, the Budget contains very little that, in the real world, stimulates economic activity or, in a time of deficits or depression, shows any sign of moving the economy forward so that the Government can tackle the defecit other than by just cutting everything they can lay their hands on.”
He lambasted the Prime Minister David Cameron and his cabinet for claiming to be “the greenest Government ever” while downgrading proposals for the Green Investment Bank, scrapping the target for building zero carbon homes, and removing the code for sustainable buildings.
Dr Whitehead acused the Government of failing to improve the economy with their regime of cuts saying that the measures had been ineffective:
“The Government have had to downgrade their growth forecast significantly. Consumer and business confidence has collapsed and stays at a very low point. Unemployment is rising, house prices are uncertain or falling, and we had negative growth in the fourth quarter of last year.”
He also took the Government to task over the effects of Government spending cuts on Southampton:
“In my constituency, virtually all the day centre schemes for the elederly are to close in mid-April because the money has been cut. Jobs are being lost, old people are staying indoors instead of going out and about, and ill-health amongst elderly people is likely to increase. In short it hurts, but it certainly will not work.”
Speaking after the debate Dr Whitehead commented;
“In Southampton my constituents are beginning to feel the effects of the swinging cuts to local government spending and it is only going to get worse. The Government’s growth forecasts clearly show that this tactic is not helping to restore the UK’s economy and I think it is time that Chancellor George Osborne admits he has made a mistake and comes up with a “Plan B” to help Britain grow out of the recession, instead of hitting the services ordinary people rely on with cuts.”
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