Since David Cameron has been PM, we’ve had zero growth in Britain. This week, we’ve seen so called ‘ new’ announcements on roads, housing and planning to reverse the trend- but this tinkering cannot be passed off for an economic plan that works. The Government’s too far, too fast spending cuts have killed demand and now we’re all paying the price.
People and businesses in Haslingden and Hyndburn won’t be taken in. There are too many unemployed, too many struggling businesses, and too many worried that Government borrowing is going up instead of down.
If the Government really wants to get the economy going they must follow Labour’s advice and change course now. They must bring forward long-term investment projects like schools, roads and transport. If they really want to make a difference to housing- tax bankers’ bonuses and as we recommend, and build tens of thousands of new homes.
People want an end to the dithering. They want urgent action now - because it is the only way to start to turning things around.
Meanwhile, this week saw David Cameron’s ‘no change’ Cabinet reshuffle - same old people, same old policies. If the Prime Minister thinks that a bit of musical chairs is going to make the blindest bit of difference to his failing economic plan, he is mistaken.
CHAOS OVER DISABILITY BENEFITS – this out of touch Government needs to get a grip
Not only has his Government’s failed economic plan locked us all into recession, its shambolic reform of disability benefits is unfairly impacting on people who genuinely need help.
Its Work Capability Assessment has been poorly managed and the level of appeals and decisions overturned has reached epidemic proportions – costing the tax payer millions. Charities, disability groups and healthcare professionals have all expressed deep concerns about how the WCA is performing, and there is now a broad consensus that the tests must be improved.
Ministers are dragging their feet on improving the test and the result is a system clogged up with delays. This out of touch Government needs to get on with ensuring the system works properly so everyone gets the right level of support and those who can work get the help they need to find a job.
GOVERNMENT PUTS THE WRONG PEOPLE FIRST BY CAVING IN ON RAIL FARES
Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs have been telling their constituents that they share the growing anger at the eye watering prices many people are having to pay just to get to work, but in the House of Commons this week they voted against a strict cap on future annual rail fare rises of no more than one per cent above inflation.
The rising cost of rail travel is adding to the financial pressures that many people are facing thanks to the recession made in Downing Street.
This vote was a chance for the Tory-led Government to stand up for ordinary people on something that would have made a real difference.
But instead they have once again put the wrong people first by caving in to pressure from the private train companies and letting them hike rail fares by up to 11 per cent annually.
Unlike the out of touch Tories, Labour is with you in these tough times.
