by Faiza Shaheen on (#3J1HS)
The chancellor’s spring statement won’t address it, but evidence that the Conservatives’ cuts have failed is everywhereThe chancellor, Philip Hammond, and his fellow Conservatives are being careful to badge the spring statement as a non-event – no tax or spending announcements. The budget in November was devoid of substance, and now Hammond will use his platform to tell the public – desperate nurses, struggling single mums, cash-starved local authorities – to wait. But given the mounting evidence that shows austerity is bad for the economy, growing public dissatisfaction, weakened levels of investment as well as the rising human costs – what is he waiting for? The truth is he’s not waiting; he’s trying to hoodwink us. There is no light at the end of the tunnel because since 2010 we have been in a tunnel that leads only to one place – a small state with government-sanctioned hardship and a weaker economy.Related: Philip Hammond can’t ignore the anger caused by austerity | Matthew d’AnconaEnding austerity isn’t just a matter of no longer cutting; it requires reversing the cuts and increasing spending Continue reading...