- Bartolotti challenges Labour to oppose welfare cap
- Decisive action on climate change needed
- Government must make good on its commitment on tax dodging
Pippa Bartolotti, Wales Green Party leader, is calling for a budget ‘fit for the future’ as George Osborne prepares to announce his Government’s spending plans tomorrow.
‘A challenge to Labour’
Bartolotti challenges Welsh Labour to oppose the proposed ‘benefits caps’ which do not take into account the number of mouths a household has to feed, and will lead to yet more child poverty.
She said: “The Greens are the only opposition party fighting for a more just society in the face of increasing austerity and cuts which we know will hurt the poorest and most vulnerable hardest. The welfare state is faltering under the weight of Tory ideology intent on driving millions more into poverty and debt, yet the so-called opposition, and the Government of Wales, do not seem to have the spine to stand up to this cruel onslaught on our values of fairness and compassion.
“The welfare state should be there to help all who need it. It is not meant to be a massive subsidy for businesses paying less than a living wage.
According to Citizens UK Supermarket employees do not get paid enough to live on and national minimum wage earnings are topped up by in-work benefits that total £11billion a year.
“Progressive politicians must come together to oppose the lowering of the welfare cap – and to fight for a welfare state that serves all of us when we need it. There is simply no excuse for Labour supporting this proposal.”
‘A tough new law on tax dodging’
The Green Party is also calling for Osborne to honour his Government’s commitment to cracking down on tax avoidance. Caroline Lucas, Green MP said:
“This budget must include a very clear road map on tackling tax avoidance. Indeed if the Government is serious about recouping the billions of pounds lost through tax avoidance it should urgently introduce a tax dodging bill which enshrines into law a commitment to a global tax system that’s fair for everyone.”
‘Decisive action on climate change’
The Wales Greens are calling for ‘decisive’ action on climate change ahead of a global summit in Paris later this year. The Wales Green Party leader said:
“Climate change represents a huge threat to our economy and our security. This budget should rightfully give the green economy the highest priority, and not give further tax breaks to fossil fuel companies intent on burning every drop of oil in the ground. With job creation at the heart of clean energy creation, there is scope to give industry the clear investment lead it has been waiting for.
“Governments in Westminster and Wales are running out of time to project a managed transition to a low carbon economy. This is the moment when we can realistically take steps to cut fuel bills and roll out our own home grown energy supplies. This is the moment to reduce VAT on house renovation and to bring in the type of building standards which will reduce fuel bills to £20 a year.
“We must get serious about leaving the vast majority of fossil fuels in the ground and stop giving tax breaks to polluters. Cutting greenhouse gasses is the existential threat of our time.”