Labour Councillors have expressed dismay at the missed opportunities and policy failures presented in the Government’s Spring Budget today, where yet again the Chancellor failed to outline a sustainable funding plan for funding Adult Social Care.

Whilst welcoming some Government measures such as the extensions to the furlough scheme and business rates holiday – overall, Labour Councillors were left bitterly disappointed with a Budget that offered nothing in the way of good news for local councils, social care, key workers or council taxpayers.

Labour Councillors were hoping to see the Chancellor present a budget today that would focus on rebuilding the foundations of our economy and providing a credible plan for tackling the social care crisis, the housing crisis and the climate crisis. Unfortunately, this budget has failed to deliver on all fronts.

Labour slammed the Government for failing to produce a funding plan for adult social care, instead passing the financial burden of supporting the most vulnerable in society onto local council taxpayers yet again. Over the last 5 years there has been over 11% added to council tax in Brighton & Hove in Adult Social Care precepts.

Labour Councillors were hoping to see a Budget today that would foster a sustainable economic recovery and help the country Build Back Better. Instead, the Government has brought forward a budget with no mention of inequality, no bold action on the climate emergency, no plan for social care, and no support for key workers – who are being rewarded for their tireless work throughout the pandemic with a real terms pay cut.

Labour Group Leader, Councillor Nancy Platts says:

“The Government has missed a major opportunity today to kickstart a sustainable economic recovery that allows us to Build Back Better. Instead, their plans show they want to return to the same insecure economy and unequal country that’s been so cruelly exposed by the pandemic.

“We welcome the Government finally announcing extensions to the furlough scheme and the business rates holiday – but this budget still falls well short of the mark.

“By failing yet again to properly fund adult social care, the Government has forced the financial burden of supporting the most vulnerable onto the backs of local council taxpayers.

“Sadly, this Budget does nothing for the millions of key workers who are having their pay frozen, for the businesses swamped by debt, for the families facing higher council tax bills and for the millions who are out of work or fearful for their jobs.”

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Image: Sky News