Cable: Spring Statement a predictable ‘non-event’

Responding to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement in the House of Commons this afternoon, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said: 

“Brexit has crowded the usually significant Spring Statement out on to the margins of relevance, and the Chancellor has managed to make it even more of a non-event.

“Despite continuing austerity for most government departments and a violence epidemic on our streets, the Chancellor announced no meaningful new funding and failed to even confirm a date for the crucial upcoming Spending Review.

“There is little good news in Brexit Britain’s growth record either. While the Coalition Government left the UK one of the best performers among the world’s advanced economies, the OBR’s growth downgrade for this year confirms we are now one of the weakest.

“With interest rates already at rock-bottom, these will not be available to fight any future Brexit recession. The Chancellor is right to warn about the economic damage a no-deal Brexit would cause, but wrong to present his government’s deal as the only alternative.

“In truth the only real “dividend” on offer is that from remaining in the EU, by giving the public a People’s Vote on Brexit.”

ENDS

Spring Statement an insult to police officers and knife crime victims

Responding to the Chancellor’s announcement on police funding in his Spring Statement, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said:

“Faced with the current epidemic of knife crime claiming the lives of so many young people, the Government’s response today is shockingly inadequate.

“The Conservatives have cut £1 billion from police budgets since 2015, and now they offer just £80 million back. They have taken 5,000 police officers and 2,600 community support officers off the streets, and now they offer to fund some extra overtime.

“This is an insult to our hard-working police and an insult to the victims of knife crime and their families.

“The Liberal Democrats demand better. The Government must give local police forces the funding they need to recruit more officers and restore the community policing that prevents crime and keeps us safe.

“The Government must also invest in a proper public health approach that brings together youth services, community groups, schools and the NHS to tackle the shocking rise in knife crime.”

ENDS

Lib Dem victory on period poverty funding

Responding to Phillip Hammond’s Spring Statement which brings in funding for free sanitary products in secondary schools and colleges in England, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Layla Moran said:

“Girls are missing out on their education while on their period, or using unsuitable substitutes because they cannot afford to buy basic sanitary protection. It is good to see the Government have finally agreed that this is unacceptable.

“With 1 in 4 women saying they have experienced forms of period poverty, the Liberal Democrats have been fighting to ensure schools and hospitals are places where you can get free tampons and pads.

“However, this is not a silver bullet and we must continue to demand better for girls and women. It is vital the Conservative Government bring in more ambitious measures if we are to bring about the full eradication of period poverty.”

ENDS

* Cllr. Tahir Maher is a member of the LDV editorial team