#AutumnStatement23: tax cuts, crumbling public services & a return to austerity
In today’s Autumn Statement, the government has opted to “deliver the biggest business tax cut in history”. Meanwhile, despite desperate need, NO extra funding has been allocated to our NHS.
Here’s what you need to know…
Before the budget, it was reported that the Treasury had a “windfall” of billions to spend. This is partly due to higher-than-expected tax receipts, but also because the Treasury baked in enormous spending cuts from 2025 onwards to make the numbers add up.
Under these planned cuts, by 2028 day-to-day spending in some departments would be 16% lower than today. So in fact, this budget signals a worrying return to the era of austerity - the same failed economic policies that decimated public services in the first place.
Our NHS faces record-breaking waiting lists, overwhelmed ambulance services, and critical staff shortages following 13 years of Conservative health policies. Another round of austerity will only worsen this - the health service is crying out for more investment.
Already, it is projected that the NHS will overspend by £1.7 billion this year. The government claims it will “double the number of doctors and nurses we train”, yet has failed to provide the resources needed to make this a reality.
The government has also decided to raid NHS capital budgets to cover the costs of industrial action. These budgets are urgently needed to fix crumbling hospitals and other broken facilities. NHS leaders have warned that this will have a “devastating” impact on patient care.
With no more money for the NHS, it’s likely the NHS will be forced to abandon some or all of its winter crisis management plans to reduce its deficit. The grim reality is that patients could die as a result of these financial decisions.
The government claims its tax cuts are good news for the public. But the reality is they will benefit the richest and hurt the poorest and most vulnerable as public services - including the NHS - are cut in order to pay for them.
There is a solution: taxing corporations and the rich. This is essential in order to sustainably fund and rebuild crumbling public services. Even millionaires themselves are calling for this!
In summary, this budget:
Fails to tackle the crisis facing patients and the NHS
Signals a worrying return to an era of austerity
Prioritises the pockets of the wealthy over investment in the public services we all rely on
We all deserve better. If you want to fight for an economy and a health system which prioritise patients’ lives over profit, join us today.