In response to the Autumn Statement Cllr Mick Lerry said “Labour is clear that we need an economic plan that can earn our way to rising living standards for all, not just a few. That’s why we have set out a plan to deliver stronger growth and more good jobs paying decent wages. In this way we can earn our way to higher living standards for all and get the deficit down. That’s why a balanced and fair plan to get the deficit down must have more good jobs, rising living standards and stronger growth at its heart, alongside difficult decisions on spending and tax”.
“Labour will deal with the cost-of-living crisis and help working families share in the wealth of our country, so when the economy grows, the wages of everyday working people grow at the same rate. And we’ll tackle low wages by halving the number of people on low pay in our country, changing the lives of over two million people” says Mick.
Build a stronger and more balanced economy
Labour want to build a stronger and more balanced economy: by getting 200,000 new homes built a year, reforming our banks and ending the dither on big decisions with an independent infrastructure commission.
Mick said: “We will back the next generation by boosting apprenticeships. We will make work pay and tackle insecurity by raising the minimum wage, banning exploitative zero-hours contracts and expanding free childcare for working parents”.
“And we’ll back British businesses by cutting business rates for small firms and arguing for Britain to stay in a reformed European Union” says Mick.
Reverse tax cuts for millionaires
Labour’s plan will balance the books and get the national debt falling as soon as possible in the next Parliament. And we will do it in a fairer way by reversing that huge tax cut for millionaires.
Labour will make difficult decisions like scrapping winter fuel payments for the richest five per cent of pensioners, cutting ministers’ pay by five per cent and capping child benefit rises at one per cent for two years. And through our Zero-Based Review of every pound spent by government, we are showing how we will make different choices when money is tight.
Unlike the Tories — who have made £7 billion of unfunded tax pledges — we have made no promises without saying where the money is coming from. Our manifesto will have no commitments paid for by additional borrowing.
“A recovery for the many would mean we can balance the books in a fairer way: this is what David Cameron and George Osborne have failed to deliver in the past four years. The Tories could make a start by admitting they have failed. But it will take a Labour Government to make it happen” said Mick.
Cllr Mick Lerry – Leader of the Labour Group on Sedgemoor District Council
Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Bridgwater and West Somerset
Mobile: 07775 905080
Email: michael.lerry@btinternet.com