The Tory budget didn't offer much, and it certainly did not end austerity.

Politicians, analysts and public alike reacted with dismay to Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Budget 2018 announcements. 

Despite promises that this is the “end of austerity” in Britain, much of the proposals from the Treasury offered little to those must vulnerable in our society. Meanwhile, the small print showed plenty of tax cuts for corporations and the super rich.

The Tories’ attempt to turn their actual budget into a harbinger of prosperity was so vain, outrage poured through on social media and, even, live TV.

Here are some of the Chancellor’s most controversial pledges and the reactions to them:

Increase in income tax threshold

The income tax threshold will rise next April to £12,500 for personal allowance and £50,000 for the higher-rate threshold. But those who have the most to gain are those on the 10th percentile of the British economy. AKA: the rich.

Who gains most from the Chancellor’s income tax cuts next year? The richest tenth of households are overwhelmingly the biggest winners pic.twitter.com/HpeiVxDGbG

— ResolutionFoundation (@resfoundation) 29 October 2018

Income tax personal allowance up to £12.5k next year, a year earlier than promised. Big increases in income tax personal allowance is one reason over 40% of adults in UK pay no income tax at all.

— Paul Johnson (@PJTheEconomist) 29 October 2018

– A couple who are both high-earners will be 1,700 pounds better off in April, thanks to #Budget2018‘s income tax giveaway

– A couple who are both out of work will be ZERO pounds better off in April, thanks to the freezing of benefits#ABudgetForTheFew

— Andrew Harrop (@andrew_harrop) 29 October 2018

Increase in Universal Credit

While the Universal Credit work allowance is set to rise by £1000, most experts have noted the system continues to affect millions of people negatively. Many argued the whole programme should be scrapped.

It is also hard to see how the system is ever meant to run smoother when in the same budget Hammond also announced that the Department for Work and Pensions is set to have its budget cut by over half a billion pounds next year.

Not a good look when Tory MPs cheer about a Universal Credit policy that despite the changes will still make the most vulnerable in society worse off #Budget2018

— Shehab Khan (@ShehabKhan) 29 October 2018

Universal Credit announcement doesn’t begin to repair damage caused by yearly welfare payment freezes, welfare reform act & austerity. Family incomes have been relentlessly cut – this is no budget for strivers, grafters & carers no matter what Chancellor might claim #Budget2018

— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) 29 October 2018

Too little, too late for the NHS

For all of the Chancellor’s much lauded NHS England boost of £20.5 billion over the next five years, doctors and health experts warned the increase wasn’t enough. Plus, the health service has old debts to pay, particularly for PFI contracts and other private endeavours.

The budget didn’t deliver the increases in public funding needed to end austerity. No new money for local government (except a measly sum which won’t solve the social care crisis). New NHS funding will barely cover projected deficits (if that). #budget18

— Dave Prentis (@DavePrentis) 29 October 2018

Post budget Treasury briefing:

Hammond said there will be a 1.2 per cent average above-inflation spending rise for gvt depts in next spending review.

However this includes the NHS spending increases. Without NHS increase, average is 0%

This is a big caveat…

— Sam Coates Times (@SamCoatesTimes) 29 October 2018

What did you make of yesterday’s Budget? How will you family be affected? Let us know the comments below.

Joana Ramiro is a reporter for Left Foot Forward. You can follow her on Twitter for all sorts of rants here.

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