There Must be No Return to Austerity - Murphy

Date published: 3 October 2022

Commenting on the Chancellor’s statement, Minister Murphy said: “The Chancellor’s decision to reverse this tax break for the super-wealthy is the right thing to do. Along with my counterparts in Scotland and Wales I have been calling for the immediate reversal of this indefensible decision.

“However a completely different approach is required if the Chancellor is to mitigate the economic turmoil created by his mini-budget.

“With no credible plan to fund his programme of tax cuts which largely benefit the well-off there is a fear that there will be a return to austerity measures. That would only add to the hardship being faced by people and small businesses.

“The Westminster Government should instead increase Social Security benefits to support low income households with the higher costs they will face this winter.

“Public services are under huge pressure with rising prices, energy costs and the impact of inflation eroding available funding. Additional funding must be provided to enable continued delivery of public services, and a fair pay rise for public sector workers.

“The mini-budget is already set to increase mortgage costs for thousands of homeowners.

“A completely different approach must be adopted by the British Government if people are to keep their homes warm and if businesses are to keep their lights on.”