The salvo of cash promised in today’s spending review shows anti austerity arguments have won out. But these promises needed to be backed up by a fairer tax system.
Tax Justice UK’s Executive Director, Robert Palmer, said: “It’s clear the anti-austerity movement has won the debate that we need more public spending. However, we must go further to undo the cuts that have caused real hardship for millions.
“Nine years of cuts have helped entrench inequality in the UK. Until politicians address the low tax lifestyles open to the wealthy and commit to a fair tax system that invests in decent public services, “ending austerity” will be a meaningless headline for hungry Chancellors.”
With no Office for Budget Responsibility report to provide economic and fiscal context to today’s statement, it seems there is no-one around to check the Chancellor’s sums.