Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts calls on local MP Rebecca Pow to vote down "shambolic" budget

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts calls on local MP Rebecca Pow to vote down “shambolic” budget.

With the pound plummeting and bills climbing, Liberal Democrat leader for Somerset West and Taunton Council, Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts calls on Rebecca Pow to oppose Kwasi Kwarteng’s “shambolic” budget.

The call comes as the pound plummets to a record low against the dollar, which risks leading to rising food and petrol prices and spiking mortgage interest rates. 

The Liberal Democrats are demanding Parliament be recalled this week so that urgent action can be taken to address the unfolding disaster. They’re also calling for a tougher windfall tax on oil and gas giants to help people and businesses with their bills, as well as a Winter NHS Rescue Plan.

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts said:

“The Chancellor’s out-of-touch and shambolic budget has failed to provide solutions to the problems many of us are facing. Our local health services have been neglected to line the pockets of city bankers at a time when people in the Somerset West and Taunton area are worried about getting through the winter.

People I’ve spoken to in our area feel abandoned by the government and left with still-unmanageable bills to pay. Our research has shown that the average family will pay almost £300 more in tax next year, despite the 1p cut to the basic rate. Rebecca Pow should listen to the concerns from our community, vote down this shambolic budget and back Liberal Democrat calls to support local homes and businesses instead.”