Negative Budget reaction across the nations

Green Politics

Cameron’s aimed for a new relationship with the devolved bodies. But the reaction to the Budget of the smaller parties across the nations was largely negative.

David Cameron’s aim was for a new relationship with the devolved bodies based on mutual respect. The reaction of the smaller parties across the nations to George Osborne’s Budget suggests that the relationship is set to come under increasing strain.

Scotland

Responding for the SNP, Scotland’s Finance Secretary, John Swinney was clear in his concerns at the budget’s effect on Scotland, concluding:

“Even compared with forecasts published by the Office of Budget Responsibility only last week, this budget has lowered growth, taking money out of the economy, which could otherwise support jobs and recovery.

“And of course slower growth means smaller government revenues. This irresponsible action runs the real danger of creating a spiral of decline whereby the recent fragile return to growth is choked off before it gets the chance to really take hold.”

Specific concerns have also been raised about the effects that the budget will have on Dundee. Dubbed as Scotland’s “video games capital”, the UK Government’s announcement that a planned tax break for the industry will be postponed has drawn sharp criticism. Responding, SNP MP for Dundee East and the party’s Treasury spokesman at Westminster, Stewart Hosie responded:

“It is a cruel blow coming just months after we secured a commitment by the last government to deliver a competitive tax incentive. This reversal will pull the rug from under the games industry and put vital jobs at risk.”

Northern Ireland

Across Northern Ireland, political leaders on both sides of the political spectrum joined forces to raise their concerns.

For the Lib Dem’s sister party, the Alliance, its Finance spokesman, Stephen Farry concluded:

“The rhetoric from the Chancellor may be one of fairness but the reality is somewhat different. In particular, the increase in the level of VAT is a regressive move.”

For the DUP, its Deputy Leader, Nigel Dodds raised his concerns that the budget failed to address Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances:

“Whilst all the cuts in public spending will impact upon Northern Ireland, there are few concrete proposals to help with the rebalancing of the Northern Ireland economy which is talked about within the budget.”

Meanwhile, the SDLP sought to attack the UK Government’s attempt to claim the mantra of fairness, with the party’s leader, Margaret Ritchie declaring:

“This budget is unfair because it places far too great a reliance on public expenditure cuts as a means of tackling the deficit. This approach will always hurt those on lower incomes most.

“The government’s slogan ‘We’re all in this together” now rings hollow. Instead of making those who caused the financial crisis, pay for the crisis, nearly all of the burden is falling on the shoulders of public sector workers.”

Wales

Across Wales, the Chancellor’s statement was framed by an analysis in the Financial Times in which Wales was identified as facing almost twice the economic pain as the rest of the UK under the ConDem’s proposed cuts.

Responding to the budget, a statement from the Plaid/Labour coalition Assembly Government in Cardiff concluded:

“Detailed UK spending plans for the period after 2010-11 are not included in the Budget.  So it is still not yet possible to say exactly what our future settlement will be.  But this Budget – with an unprecedented combination of tax increases, cuts in benefits and public spending– is grim news for most people across the UK and particularly bad for people in Wales.”

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4 Responses to “Negative Budget reaction across the nations”

  1. Richard Donne

    RT @leftfootfwd: Negative Budget reaction across the nations http://bit.ly/c5xRwU

  2. Hotspur

    RT @leftfootfwd: Negative Budget reaction across the nations http://bit.ly/c5xRwU

  3. Evidence based? Really?

    ha ha, you know the budget has- bearing in mind people know the pain is coming- has gone down pretty well when this is the best rag tag bunch of opposition you can find.

    Correct me if i’m wrong though, isn’t evidence based analysis something whereby you weigh up all views and evidence?? No mention of all the positive analysis no? I guess its not the evidence you want…

  4. fflp

    Oxford local TV news on Oxford protest against the budget
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HGb6GAKJAg

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