‘There’s been a constant drum beat of what can’t be done . Use the Budget to embrace the politics of what can be done instead’
Dear Chancellor,
When you stand up to deliver your Budget, we have one over-riding plea – to do everything in your power to relieve the cost of living pressure on Mirror readers and households across the land.
The past few years have been relentless, whether it be from sky high energy bills and rocketing food prices to an increase in borrowing costs, and much more besides. While there is some light at the end of the tunnel, with signs that inflation may have peaked, it is the compound impact of so many increases over time that has taken its toll.
We know what a dire mess Labour inherited from the Tories, leaving the Treasury with precious little wiggle room given the state of the public finances. But ordinary people want – need – to feel like they have a bit more at the end of the month.
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Reducing energy bills, including ditching the 5% VAT rate, would be one quick fire way to help. But we ask you to go further, and see what other elements of the bill can be removed, for now at least.
And we urge you to come good on your promise that those with the “broadest shoulders” should pay their “fair share,” of taxes. The wealth divide in our society is a travesty, and measures you announce can help to start to address the issue.
We also agree wholeheartedly that stimulating growth in the economy is vital too. With growth, comes more tax receipts, and more jobs, higher wages. And while tax rises now seem inevitable, we encourage you to ensure they are targeted so they don’t stifle this much needed growth.
The green shoots of growth can be nurtured in many ways, some with big projects, and other less so. Take our high streets that need government help to survive, and thrive. The same goes for community pubs, many of which provide vital spaces for people, and groups, to meet and can combat a loneliness crisis. In many cases we are not talking about large sums, but providing funding now can be a catalyst for real and noticeable change for many years to come.
And despite the naysayers, this Labour government has begun to deliver on its promise to change people’s lives for the better.
But coming into the Budget, there has been a constant drum beat of what can’t be done. While the government has very many challenges, we would urge you embrace the politics of what can be done instead.
So, when you stand up to deliver your Budget, we call on you to remember what can – and must – be done to improve the lives of every person in this country looking to you for help.
