Angela Eagle: Tax rises and spending cuts which go too far and too fast have choked off the recovery

Mar 7 2012 Wallasey News

TAX rises and spending cuts which go too far and too fast have choked off the recovery, pushed up prices and seen unemployment soar.

The Government’s reckless plan has backfired on the deficit too: more people out of work – claiming benefit rather than paying taxes – means the government won’t now balance the books by 2015.

They are set to borrow £158 billion more than planned to pay for economic failure and a bigger benefits bill. It’s hurting, but it’s not working.

The transition to a low-carbon economy is a huge opportunity for the UK, with the potential to be a major source of jobs and growth, when we need them more than ever.

As a direct result of the Government’s mixed messages and failing policies, the UK is falling behind with investment in green growth, meaning that jobs, growth and industry that should be coming to this country are now going overseas.

The UK needs an active industrial strategy to drive growth and create jobs in a low-carbon economy.

If the Government fails to make the UK a world leader in the green economy, it will be the public who pay the price through missed opportunities for jobs and growth, and higher energy bills, as we become more reliant on volatile fossil fuel prices.