The Independent Alliance, a parliamentary faction of progressive, pro-Palestinian MPs, has issued a scathing statement condemning the government’s spring statement.
The group, of which Jeremy Corbyn is the most senior member, accuses the chancellor of going “further than even the Tories ever dared”.
The statement reads: “After 14 years of Conservative rule, we were told that austerity was over. That was a lie.”
Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, Rachel Reeves confirmed deep cuts to welfare and public services, along with billions of pounds in long-term investment aimed at growing the economy.
The chancellor said her measures would ensure a predicted £4.1 billion hole in the public finances within five years would be turned into a £9.9 billion surplus.
Last week, the government announced large cuts to the benefits system, insisting they would save £5 billion by 2030. But the chancellor was forced to go further in the spring statement after the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the fiscal watchdog, rejected the government’s estimate as to how much money the reforms would save.
***Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.***
The OBR found the package would only save £3.4 billion, rather than the £5 billion the government hoped. After the further cuts, the watchdog said savings will now be £4.8 billion.
Addressing MPs, Reeves announced a freeze on the health element of universal credit for new claimants until 2030, after an initial cut of 50 per cent.
The other changes announced last week include tightening the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and scrapping the controversial work capability assessment.
Responding, the Independent Alliance argued the government “has not just refused to undo the suffering the Tories have inflicted. They have gone even further than the Tories ever dared.”
It said: “These cruel cuts are not just robbing the most vulnerable people of security. They are robbing them of dignity – and the government should be ashamed of the hateful rhetoric they have fuelled.
“People with disabilities are not a cost to society. They are creators, performers, artists, teachers and campaigners – and they are being dehumanised by a heartless government, one broken pledge at a time.
“The government says there isn’t any money to help people. We don’t believe them. Having just announced an enormous increase in military spending, the government should be honest about what they really mean: no money for the poor, endless money for war.
“There is an alternative: tax the super-rich to fix our public services and empower those in need. Instead of going after the most vulnerable in society, let’s “crack down” on corporations, billionaires and tax evaders hoarding this nation’s wealth.
“Austerity is not a tough choice. It’s the wrong choice. The right choice is redistributing wealth and power to bring about a more equal and caring society for all.”
Alongside Corbyn, the former Labour leader, the other members of the Independent Alliance include Shockat Adam, who defeated former Labour frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth in Leicester South last July, as well as Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed, who all also stood on pro-Palestinian platforms.
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest news and analysis.
Source: Politics
