Autumn budget reaction: yet more Labour letdown for Southwark

Southwark Liberal Democrats have responded to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ latest budget, welcoming:

• The two child benefit cap being lifted – which Liberal Democrats have called for since it was first introduced by the Conservatives eight years ago
   
• New Tourist Tax powers, which Liberal Democrats have been calling on for years, passing a motion this July

But they have slammed an otherwise botched budget:

• Failing to take the opportunity to get social media giants and gambling firms to pay their fair share
   
• Still no investment in the Bakerloo Line Extension or Police
   
• Adding yet more layers to the broken council tax system which needs a complete overhaul

Commenting, Deputy Leader Cllr Rachel Bentley said:

“Lifting the two child benefit cap is long overdue, and a big win for our Liberal Democrat campaign to pull the easiest lever to lift tens of thousands of children in Southwark out of poverty. Southwark Labour politicians in both Parliament and on the council have blocked this call for years – but we’re pleased to see the Government finally seeing sense.

It’s extremely disappointing however to see the Government failing to listen elsewhere – fiddling with the broken council tax system instead of asking gambling firms and social media giants to pay more is the wrong move, and will do nothing to raise the funds desperately needed to properly fund public services.

Labour also need to stop blaming Brexit – and actually do something about it. An EU-UK customs union would raise £25 billion – and Labour are actively choosing to pursue more damaging austerity and record high taxes instead of actual growth.”

Group Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain also added:

“Whilst we welcome the Tourist Tax announcement – which we have been calling on for years – local councils must see that money instead of it sitting in Sadiq Khan’s pocket, and the hospitality industry should also see some relief from national insurance, as well as our proposals for an emergency VAT cut of 5%. 

Meanwhile it’s deeply disappointing to see the Labour Government yet again fail to invest in areas like Southwark. Investment in the Bakerloo Line Extension is a no-brainer that could unlock 100,000 homes and create over 10,000 jobs across London – but the Government have ignored it yet again. They’ve also refused to relent on cuts to policing in London which are resulting in front counters like in Walworth shutting its doors. 

This is on top of brutal cuts to local council funding that are coming down the tracks – after Southwark Labour politicians refused to back our campaign for real fair funding.

This really is a botched budget full of missed opportunities and the wrong priorities”