Responding to the Budget

Commenting on the budget, David Lammy MP (Lab, Tottenham) said:

“This budget is an assault on the poorest and working families and has all the hallmarks of the Thatcher budgets of the 1980s.”

“Increased VAT, Maternity pay cut, Child Tax Benefit frozen, reducing Housing benefit, these are measures that hit the vulnerable the hardest.”

“It is a fact that the rich pay only £1 out of every £25 on VAT, where as the poorest pay £1 out of every £7 – they have chosen to make the poor foot the bill for the bankers’ mistakes.”

Commenting on the fact Liberal Democrat MPs like Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey and Wood Green), Simon Hughes (Bermondsey & Old Southwark) and Sarah Teather (Brent Central) who represent challenging areas but are supporting this budget and this government, David said:

“How can they look their constituents in the eye and claim they are in Parliament representing their interests if they are voting for this?”

“They have put their constituents’ jobs, income and houses at risk at the first whiff of power.”