Government out of touch, claims mayor
BRABIN SLAMS BUDGET AS NEGLECTING BIG ISSUES
WEST Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has accused the Conservatives of prioritising ‘prosecco over childcare’ following Rishi Sunak’s 2021 autumn budget.
The chancellor announced a raft of measures yesterday, which included slashing alcohol rates, increasing the Living Minimum Wage and cheaper domestic flights.
However, a number of other policies will hit people hard in the coming months, with council tax and National Insurance both set to rise.
Reacting to the budget, Ms Brabin told The Examiner she was expecting more from Mr Sunak and branded some of his decisions ‘crazy.’
“The government are out of touch with how ordinary people live,” she said. “I don’t think anybody on that front bench has ever looked at the price of anything. I don’t believe that frontbench understand the challenges of the cost of living crisis here in West Yorkshire.
“Filling up the car is more expensive, buying food is more expensive. I don’t think they understand the impact the National Insurance rise is going to have on the poorest in our community.
“Let’s not forget that it’s not just about individuals. It’s about small SMEs that will have extra costs.
“Everybody is going to have to take a greater hit.”
Ms Brabin added the most galling part of Mr Sunak’s speech was the precedence given to sparkling wine while neglecting more pressing issues that will affect the poorest people in society.
“He’s got his priorities wrong,” she added. “There was more time spent on discussing prosecco than childcare, which has been a really big burden for families.”
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