Spring Statement: The CWaC Lib Dems Response
Our Parliamentary Spokespeople, Jack Price-Harbach (Mid Cheshire) & Rob Herd (Cheshire South & Eddisbury), delivered their response to the Chancellor's Spring Statement.
"Yesterday, Labour’s Chancellor delivered the Spring Statement, and it's clear that in Chester South & Eddisbury the government is failing to provide the support our communities desperately need.
Shockingly, Labour’s decision to reduce Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for many recipients will leave some of our most vulnerable neighbours worse off, rather than help people back into work. Cutting welfare benefits will only push people further into hardship. We know that good health and financial stability go hand in hand. The Liberal Democrats are calling for proper investment in our NHS, ensuring people receive the care they need, when they need it because we believe that a healthier society is a more productive society. "
Despite promises of economic recovery, families across our area are still struggling with high energy bills, rising food costs, and soaring rents and mortgages. The Chancellor’s short-term measures are simply not enough, and growth needs to be more rapid. As the OBR forecasts that growth for this financial year would be half that of the projection made in October 2024, it is clear that growth needs to be more rapid.
Rob Herd, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Chester South & Eddisbury
"The OBR forecasts that we will not see a year on year growth figure of anything at least 2% or more during this Parliamentary term. I am a passionate pro European and my party has been making the case to fix our broken relationship with Europe, by entering into a new customs union with the European Union. This would slash red tape and allow a huge sigh of relief to businesses already hampered by the forthcoming Jobs Tax.
Instead of dealing with the elephant in the room, the Chancellor is condemning millions to destitution through cuts to Personal Independence Payments, rather than taxing social media companies. The Liberal Democrats have proposed trebling the Digital Services Tax, to hold social media giants like Elon Musk more accountable. Labour voters did not vote to treat the most vulnerable people in society this way. This wasn't in their manifesto for change. Nor were the Family Farms Tax, the Jobs Tax and the Winter Fuel Payments cuts for pensioners."
14,000 people in Mid Cheshire have attempted to claim PIP, with just over half of claims being awarded. Many people in receipt of PIP either are working, or want to work. Taking away their rightfully deserved benefits, based on the assumption that they are not disabled enough, will condemn millions of people to destitution.
Jack Price-Harbach, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Mid Cheshire
The government also failed to deliver comprehensive support for struggling families and pensioners. The Liberal Democrats are fighting for:
- Stronger support for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.
- An NHS Rescue Plan to cut waiting times and tackle staff shortages.
- Energy bill reductions by making big polluters pay their fair share.
- Expanded free childcare to help working parents.
We believe that everyone in Chester South & Eddisbury and across Mid Cheshire deserves fairness, dignity, and opportunity. While Labour continues to let people down, we’ll keep standing up for our communities.
Rob Herd & Jack Price-Harbach