Hitchin Lib Dems Parliamentary candidate Sam Collins slams Autumn Statement as 'chaotic and incompetent' budget

Lib Dems condemn "chaotic and incompetent" budget

Hitchin & Harpenden Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservative Government of 'incompetence and chaos' after the Autumn Statement saw tax hikes and cuts to services for people in Hertfordshire.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has unveiled tax rises and spending cuts - as the Office for Budget Responsibility says eight years of growth to be wiped out.

The Chancellor's measures come in the wake of economic turmoil following the 'mini-budget' which saw mortgage rates spike to record levels. 

Hunt announced a series of tax rises and spending curbs, as official forecasts showed a recession is expected to wipe out eight years of growth for Britons.

In his autumn statement – effectively a winter budget – Hunt warned there will be difficult times ahead, with GDP forecast to contract by 1.4% next year while inflation will remain above 7%, but angled to delay much of the pain for the next government following the 2024 General Election.

Hunt also blamed the economic crisis on global factors including the war in Ukraine.

However, Mr Collins and the Lib Dems slammed the Hunt and the Tories' mini-budget, insisting that for months their party have been calling for a tougher windfall tax on oil and gas giants to help pay for help with energy bills and support for the vulnerable.  

Commenting on the Government's Autumn Statement, Sam Collins, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Hitchin & Harpenden said: "This is the cost of chaos budget. Everyone is being forced to pay the price for this Conservative government's incompetence. 

"People in our area are being asked to pick up the bill for the Conservative party crashing the economy, while oil and gas giants are left off the hook. People here are being forced to suffer unfair tax hikes and cuts to our public services for years to come.

"We need a fair deal, including support for people unable to afford skyrocketing mortgage bills and rents, and protecting funding for local health services. This could be paid for by reversing tax cuts for banks and a proper windfall tax, instead of imposing years of stealth taxes on ordinary families.

"This is an out of touch Government which has no plan to help people in Hertfordshire with their bills."