POLITICIANS and the region’s local authorities greeted the chancellor’s budget with dismay.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell said the statement set out “a seriously worrying state of the economy” and North Yorkshire County Council said they face “the bleak prospect of further tough decisions” because Philip Hammond has offered no relief from the “relentless austerity for local government.”
Ms Maskell said: “York’s health service is seriously underfunded and we have a real crisis with social care.
“There was no mention of this in the budget.
“The elderly and the vulnerable have been completely failed by this Government.”
York Liberal Democrats claimed the Chancellor’s “hands are tied by Brexit, public finances will continue to decline and the forecast for future economic growth is doubtful.”
Meanwhile, Julian Sturdy, Conservative MP for York Outer, said the budget was “a sensible balance between fiscal responsibility and optimistic investment” and was “reassured” by the £3 billion Brexit commitment.
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