Mini-Budget 'Designed By Millionaires For Millionaires' – SDLP

The mini-budget announced by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has been "designed by millionaires for millionaires, rather than those in need", SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said.

Mr Eastwood was speaking after the Chancellor unveiled a number of measures in the House of Commons on Friday morning.

Mr Eastwood said the Tories had once again proved they were more interested in looking after big businesses and the well-off, while leaving people in communities across the North and Britain to fend for themselves.

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: "Rather than attempting to help the millions of people across these islands who are mired in a cost of living emergency, what we got from the British government today was a budget by millionaires for millionaires. These plans show just how detached this government is from the desperate situation families are facing. Rather than taking further steps to help people heat their homes and put food on the table this winter we saw a number of measures that will see the rich get richer, while our communities are left in the cold.

"A decision to remove the cap on bankers' bonuses at a time when many people's salaries don't cover their basic necessities is vulgar in the extreme. This is the Tory party acting as they have always done, making sure that their wealthy backers and big businesses are well looked after, without a thought for the rest of us. Trickledown economics doesn't work, it has never worked and all it will achieve is to widen inequalities at a time when those who are struggling have less than ever before.

"Liz Truss' government have also demonstrated their total disregard for people in the North who they had promised to help navigate this emergency. Offering the majority of people who rely on oil heating an extra £100, when that wouldn't even be enough to make an order in most places, shows where we feature in their priorities.

"What people in the North need is real support and they aren't getting it from Westminster. The SDLP has produced a plan to get 1000l of home heating oil to everyone who needs it, these are the type of solutions that will get our communities through this winter and it's time that we saw similar political leadership from this government."