Labour's Rachel Reeves has lashed out at Rishi Sunak following his Spring Statement announcement, claiming the Chancellor's proposed measures are "making the cost-of-living crisis worse, not better".
The Shadow Chancellor declared, "He didn't even know the numbers" in her response to Mr Sunak's set of measures aimed at helping Brits cope with soaring inflation and energy bills.
She said: “Today was the day that the Chancellor could have put a windfall tax on oil and gas companies to provide real help to families, but he didn’t.
“Today was the day the Chancellor could have set out a proper plan to support businesses and create good jobs. But he didn’t.
Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
House of Commons
Rishi Sunak making his Spring Statement announcement today in the House of Commons
House of Commons
“Today was the day he could have properly scrapped his National Insurance hike, he didn’t.
“We said it was the wrong tax at the wrong time, the wrong choice. Today, the Chancellor has finally admitted he got that one wrong.
“Inflation is at its highest level for 30 years and rising. Energy prices at record highs. People are worried sick.
“For all his words, it is clear that the Chancellor does not understand the scale of the challenge. He talks about providing security for working families, but his choices are making the cost-of-living crisis worse, not better."
Ms Reeves criticised the plan for doing nothing to help Brits with soaring petrol prices.
The MP for Leeds West told the Commons: “At the weekend the Chancellor was asked about fuel poverty and he didn’t even know the numbers.
“It is shameful that he doesn’t, because when Martin Lewis predicts that 10 million people could be pushed into fuel poverty the Chancellor should sit up and listen.”
She added: “We know that pensions and social security are not going to keep up with inflation. Pensioners and those on social security are being given a real-terms cut in their incomes.
“So, what analysis has the Chancellor done of the impact of benefits being up-rated by less than inflation? How many more children and pensioners will drift into poverty because of … this Government?"
