Greens urge government to ‘rebalance the economy’ ahead of Spring Statement

Green MPs outside the Treasury, from left: Siân Berry MP, Adrian Ramsay MP, Carla Denyer MP, Ellie Chowns MP. Photo: David Mirzoeff/The Green Party
  • Green MPs pose with scales showing government’s ‘skewed priorities’ as government slashes disability benefits while refusing to tax wealth 
  • They say a tax on assets over £10 million could raise nearly 5 times as much as Rachel Reeves’s cuts to disability benefits
  • Greens urge Reeves to abandon the planned cuts and ‘rebalance’ the economy in favour of ordinary people 

Ahead of the Spring Statement the Green Party is urging the government to ‘rebalance the economy’, by reversing the planned cuts to welfare spending and instead taxing the wealth of multi-millionaires and billionaires. 

The party’s MPs say it is deeply unfair that those already struggling to get by will be pushed further into hardship because the government is unwilling to tax wealth fairly – and that while we are still feeling the effects of the Conservatives’ ‘failed austerity experiment’ more cuts will only damage the economy further while leaving us unprotected from the climate crisis.

The day before Rachel Reeves is due to unveil her response to the OBR’s economic outlook and set out her government’s response, Green MPs posed with a set of scales representing the stark difference in the money the government plans to save with its welfare cuts and the amount that could be raised by taxing extreme wealth. 

They say if the government took the advice of the Patriotic Millionaires and levied a 2% tax on assets above £10 million, this could raise £24 billion a year – almost five times the amount Reeves plans to save by slashing welfare for disabled people. 

Speaking ahead of the spring statement, Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Co-Leader, said: 

“It’s not fair that this government is unwilling to introduce a modest tax on the extremely wealthy while removing vital support from a million disabled people. 

“Fifteen years of austerity have driven our economy to the edge—forcing ordinary people to bear the burden while multi-millionaires, billionaires, and big corporations amass extreme wealth. Meanwhile our economy is not prepared to protect us from the climate crisis. 

“Labour’s plans will only deepen this inequality and push our economy further off-kilter. From removing the winter fuel payment from millions of pensioners to plans for more public service cuts, this government’s priorities are completely skewed. 

“Instead of doubling down on the Conservative failed austerity experiment and pushing more people into hardship, it’s time to rebalance our economy for good.

“At the Spring Statement, Rachel Reeves can do just this. By taxing wealth fairly, she could invest in what this country desperately needs: giving communities the support they need, rebuilding our NHS, and taking action for a safe climate so we all have a future to look forward to.” 

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A “gargantuan waste of money”


/ by Green Party

Responding to the news that the government has given the go ahead to the largest tunnel in the UK under the Thames, Sian Berry MP said,

“The Lower Thames Crossing is a gargantuan waste of money that will dirty our air and increase road traffic danger and congestion across the South East.

“We have known for many decades that building new roads creates new traffic, and it’s estimated that this £10 billion scheme will only help journeys on the Dartford Crossing for five years while it induces new journeys to clog up all the roads in the area in short order. How many years before a multi-billion-pound relief road is suggested to cut congestion on the Lower Thames Crossing by those who want this scheme?”

“Instead of building ridiculously expensive and unnecessary new roads, we should be expanding our green public transport network to improve the day-to-day journeys of everyone who needs to get around, for a fraction of the cost.”

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Solar panel initiative should be just a first step


/ by Green Party

Green Party MP and co-leader Adrian Ramsay welcomed government plans to fund the installation of 400 solar power projects for schools and hospitals, (1) and called for Ministers to be more ambitious. 

“This is an important first step in recognising the enormous energy resource offered by all the unused roof space on schools and hospitals that will also help them to cut energy costs. Now need the government to get out of the slow lane. 

“We need the government to scale up this initiative. For instance, there are 24,000 schools in England alone, many of which could become energy generators with solar panels on their roofs. And the government should be extending the initiative to factories and warehouses. 

“Better still, the government should be insisting that all new buildings include solar panels in their design.” 

NOTES TO EDITORS  

  1. Great British Energy to cut bills for hospitals and schools – GOV.UK

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Green Party announces new CEO in “pivotal year for Green politics”

The Green Party of England and Wales has today announced the appointment of Harriet Lamb as the party’s new CEO. Harriet joins from the global environmental action NGO ‘WRAP’ where she currently serves as their CEO.  

The announcement comes just weeks before “pivotal” local elections where the party hopes to build on its record-breaking number of councillors and maintain momentum after last year’s record-breaking result in the General Election.  

From June, as CEO, Harriet will head up the party’s staff team and its day-to-day operations. 

Welcoming Harriet to the role, Green Party Co-Leader, Adrian Ramsay MP, said,  

“I am delighted to welcome Harriet to the Green Party. She brings a wealth of experience leading and scaling up organisations centred on bringing about environmental and social justice. She evidently has the experience and passion to play a central role in growing our party and our impact towards our core mission.   

He continued, “The Green Party is on a roll. In the last few years we have quadrupled our number of councillors, entering administration on over 40 councils, and last year we saw a record General Election vote. With two party politics having broken down and people looking for alternatives, the Green Party’s positive vision for a fair, liveable future is needed more than ever. I look forward to working closely with Harriet in driving the party’s growth and impact to the next level.”  

Commenting, Harriet Lamb said, 

“I am super excited to be joining the Green Party and I am really looking forward to helping deliver the Party’s ambitious plans. I have spent my life working for charities driving social and environmental change – to end low pay, support refugees, nurturing peace in conflict-ridden countries, create the circular economy and most notably building the Fairtrade movement in the UK and globally – all values and issues dear to the Green Party and its agenda for positive change.” 

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Greens repeat call for UK to suspend all arms exports to Israel

Reacting to the resumption of attacks by Israeli forces on Gaza, Ellie Chowns, MP for North Herefordshire and Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said: 

“As Israel returns to its bombardment of Gaza, hundreds more lives have been lost. Families, children, entire communities – gone in an instant. This is horrific. Each of these lives mattered. Each of these deaths was preventable.

“The UK cannot remain complicit while bombs rain down on civilians. The government must act now: we must use all diplomatic means necessary to secure an immediate ceasefire and suspend all arms exports to the Israeli military including components of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which evidence suggests have been used in ways that violate international law and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. There can be no justification for continuing to supply arms while international law is being violated and humanitarian catastrophe unfolds.

“The people of Gaza are not only facing bombardment – they are also being starved. The blockade is preventing essential food, water, and medical aid from reaching those in desperate need. The UK government must demand the full and immediate flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and apply real diplomatic pressure to make that happen.

“We also repeat our call for the release of the hostages still held in Gaza. The families of those hostages deserve to see their loved ones return home.

“For too long, the UK has failed to take the necessary steps towards justice and peace. We must formally recognise the State of Palestine – a vital step towards a future based on equality, dignity, and the rule of law.

“The cycle of violence will not end without justice. There must be accountability for war crimes, an end to the occupation, and a real commitment to peace. The UK government must make a stronger stand now, before more lives are lost.”

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