Opinion

Spring Budget: Conservatives never reduce debt

Spring budget: the Conservatives market themselves as the party of fiscal responsibility, but reader Tony B points out their last budget surplus was in 1904

Jeremy Hunt spring budget

Jeremy Hunt. Image: Flickr/ Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Jeremy Hunt is yet again borrowing billions of pounds for his spring budget. The biggest spending is on pension pots – he handed the richest one per cent huge tax cuts on their pensions and didn’t even mention the public sector who are all on strike to have their pay reinstated to 2010 levels. Except for the Barristers who settled for 15 per cent last year when they threatened to strike.

The Conservatives go on about reducing the UK debt. This is something their party has never done in the last 120 years. The Tories last had an annual budget surplus in 1904. So that was the last time they actually reduced the debt.

Tony B

What are your thoughts on the spring budget? Do you have an opinion you want to contribute to the conversation? We want to hear from you. And we want to share your views with more people. Get in touch and tell us more.

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Voyager 1's galactic mixtape, extending a hand of welcome to the universe 
Paul McNamee

Voyager 1's galactic mixtape, extending a hand of welcome to the universe 

DWP has the power to help people. Why is it choosing to threaten disabled people instead?
dwp
Sumi Rabindrakumar

DWP has the power to help people. Why is it choosing to threaten disabled people instead?

Has the two-child benefit cap put 'fairness' before children's best interests?
Louise Bazalgette

Has the two-child benefit cap put 'fairness' before children's best interests?

London Tide creator Ben Power on power of the Thames – and why Dickens' London is 'our London'
Ben Power

London Tide creator Ben Power on power of the Thames – and why Dickens' London is 'our London'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know