Zöe Franklin: “pay more, get less” budget the stark reality of Conservatives’ economic harm and incompetence.

The Chancellor's Autumn Statement means tax hikes and cuts to services for people in Guildford; Liberal Democrat candidate Zöe Franklin says the Conservative Government's "incompetence and chaos" are to blame.

"Bitter blow" for local people, business and services.

The measures come in the wake of the disastrous "mini-budget" which sent mortgage interest rates soaring and saw the economy slump yet further.

Spending watchdog the Office for Budget Responsibility says the country is facing the biggest fall in living standards since records began.

Zöe Franklin, Liberal Democrat candidate for Guildford said:

"This budget is a bitter blow for local people. Everyone in our area is being forced to pay the price for this Conservative government's incompetence.

"Higher tax bills and weaker public services are the shameful result of chaos and incompetence from this Conservative Government."

Lib Dems are calling for:

• a tougher windfall tax on oil and gas companies to help pay for help with energy bills and support for the vulnerable.
• a Mortgage Protection Fund to help people struggling to pay their mortgage, funded by reversing tax cuts for the big banks.

Ms Franklin added:

"We are all expected to pay more for less.

"We need a fair deal, including support for people unable to afford soaring mortgage bills after the Government's previous budget sent rates spiralling.

"We need to protect local services, and instead make the richest companies pick up the tab for this mess.

"At the next election, it will be a choice between the Liberal Democrats demanding a fair deal for our area, or a chaotic and incompetent Conservative Government."

More Information

• Office For Budget Responsibility Economic and fiscal outlook November 2022: updated forecasts following Autumn Statement

obr.uk

Liberal Democrats are calling for:

• A proper windfall tax on the profits of the fossil fuel giants.
• The introduction of a new Mortgage Protection Fund to protect families from losing their homes because of the Conservative Property Penalty, paid for by reversing the Conservatives' unfair and unnecessary tax cuts for the big banks.
• The increase of pensions and benefits at least in line with inflation.