"What planet is Philip Hammond living on?" - Caroline responds to the Budget

Caroline responds to Budget in Parliament

Responding to the Budget, Caroline said: "Did the Chancellor lose a section of his speech? This is the most nature-depleted Budget in decades. His biggest announcement on the environment was abandoning the latte levy, and with it the pretence of caring about our natural world.

 

"Two weeks ago, the world’s top scientists warned we have just 12 years to prevent climate catastrophe – so today we urgently needed an emergency budget with major investment in green energy and jobs to protect the planet. It's unforgivable that Philip Hammond failed to even mention climate change.

 

"It's not clear what planet Philip Hammond is living on – but it is his responsibility to do something to protect those of us living on this one. His deluded Budget was built on a fantasy future where the technical revolution will solve all of society's problems.

 

"He spent more on fixing potholes than funding schools and lavished billions on locking us into our cars as public transport deteriorates. Our children will never forgive him."

 

She added:

"This Budget laid bare just how out of touch this Government is. Philip Hammond's pittance for schools to buy 'little extras' is a slap in the face for headteachers who can't cover the basic costs of staff, building repairs and support for children with special educational needs. And once again our struggling colleges went ignored.

 

"His extra funding for Universal Credit, which has plunged thousands into financial difficulty across Brighton, doesn’t begin to repair the damage caused by yearly welfare payment freezes and austerity.

 

"And worst of all, just two weeks after the world's top scientists warned we have 12 years to avoid complete climate breakdown, the Chancellor failed to even mention climate change.

 

"The only good news came for Brighton's vibrant small businesses with the drop in business rates I’ve long campaigned for. Now he must match that support with replacement funding for local authorities, who rely on the money raised from rates.

 

"This Budget wrote off our children's futures while making no tangible difference to people's lives in Brighton. The Chancellor won't be forgiven."

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