Responding to the Labour UK Government’s Autumn Budget, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies MS said:
“Labour’s smash and grab Budget will have a devastating impact in Wales.
“This Budget is built on the back of keeping pensioners cold this winter, and the National Insurance rise will be an incredibly destructive jobs tax for Wales’ economy which is already struggling after decades of Labour rule.
“Nobody is surprised that the UK Labour Government has cut business rates relief, just as they have done in Wales, further proving that the Labour Welsh Government’s abysmal record is the blueprint for Keir Starmer’s party. And just like their assault on rural communities in Wales, now Labour’s change to inheritance tax rules risks marking the end of the family farm.
“While extra money for our health service is always welcome, it must be ringfenced for cutting NHS waiting lists. But the lack of money for social care reform is a worrying omission from this Budget, and is in effect kicking tough choices into the long grass.
“The Welsh Conservatives will defend our businesses from tax raids, and will always fight to keep pensioners warm.
“In the short term, we will provide a voice to those businesses that will close as a result of these measures, and the employees who will sadly lose their jobs.”
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Finance, Peter Fox MS added:
“This budget is nothing but a cash grab from Labour politicians who seem to love nothing more than spending other people’s money.
“Labour’s pledge to not raise tax on working people was clearly disingenuous at best. Tax rises affecting small businesses are most definitely taxes on working people, as is the new tax on the family farm which will deal a crushing blow to rural communities across Wales.
“Labour Ministers in Cardiff Bay need to stand up for the people of Wales and not let their colleagues in Westminster continue to raid people’s pockets.”
