Foord - Autumn Statement ‘misses the mark’

Responding to the Government’s new Autumn Statement, Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton & Honiton Richard Foord said:

“Today’s Autumn Statement is tone-deaf and completely misses the mark.

“As the winter cold begins to set in, the Chancellor has failed to offer help for those struggling to put the heating on. Crucially, he has also given no extra support for our already overstretched health services - inviting another miserable winter.

“After years of economic turmoil and tax hikes, the Conservatives are now trying to cynically brand themselves as the party of tax cuts. But they cannot escape their record.

“They've repeatedly hiked taxes by freezing tax thresholds, despite rampant inflation. This means that millions of people have been pushed into paying additional tax.

“It used to be said that Conservative Governments wanted to have their cake and eat it. Yet this Conservative Government has taken our cake and wants us to be grateful for the crumbs they have left on the plate.

“It’s clear the Government is out-of-touch and out of ideas. We need to get them out of power so we can deliver the fair deal for everyone living in the West Country."