Blog: Hammond ’ s inadequate budget

Since Philip Hammond sat down at the end of his first budget statement, he has faced considerable criticism, understandably, for breaking manifesto commitments. At a time when trust in politicians is at an all time low, the Chancellor – who appears to pride himself on being steady and reliable – should have known better. Yet what he should really be criticised for isn’t the budget’s duplicity, but its inadequacy. On three of the biggest issues of the day the Chancellor has tried and failed to claim that the government have solved the nation’s problems. Three times he claimed he was taking action and making investments when in reality his government’s record is one of inaction and cuts. One of this budget’s supposed headline spending commitments was an additional £2bn for social care. Yet this is only meaningful investment if the years of social care cuts this government has presided over are discounted. In addition the spending is spread over three years and it’s completely inadequate compared to the scale of the crisis. While the Chancellor has – at long last – woken up to the reality of a situation exacerbated by his austerity government, the money announced yesterday won’t end the extreme rationing of care. In reality the government is just treading water, as it waits for a real social care plan to emerge. Meanwhile on the NHS, the government is still tinkering while the health service crumbles. It’s insulting to deny th...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: General secretary's blog News budget Source Type: news