Author Archives: Andrew Parkhurst

Welsh Liberal Democrat Economy Spokesperson, Chair of Flintshire Lib Dems and Senedd Candidate for Delyn

Tory Budget Targets Lowest Earners for Greatest Pain

By Andrew Parkhurst | Fri 5th March 2021 - 3:19 pm

On first sight there seems little in Rishi Sunak’s budget to scare the horses. With tax threshold increases delayed and Covid support continuing for the time being, Sunak has avoided an immediate hit to families’ wallets.

Look below the surface though and what becomes apparent is that those on the lowest incomes will suffer the most once the measures outlined in the budget kick in.

The most glaring example of this is the cruel decision to reduce universal credit at the end of September by £20 per week, just at the time when unemployment is expected to rise. This will hurt the poorest families the hardest and shows the lack of compassion and empathy that is at the heart of Tory thinking.