The Green Party has condemned the Tory budget as an assault on the most vulnerable in society.  Throughout the election campaign George Osbourne emphasised that “we are all in this together” however the Greens argue that this budget will hit hardest those who contributed least to the country’s economic downfall.

Green Party MLA and Economy spokesperson Brian Wilson stated:“The proposed cuts will be too much too soon and will have dire consequences for the fragile Northern Ireland economy which is not yet out of recession.  While there has been much talk about boosting the private sector, by putting up VAT the small businesses, which are the foundation of our economy, are put in serious jeopardy meaning more jobs will be lost.

VAT is the most regressive tax and by raising it the Tory government is ensuring that every family in the country will be hit.  This is a budget that looks after the financial district of London, which caused the near collapse of the banks, while the rest of us are left footing the bill.  It seems we are not in this together after all. This is typical of the Conservatives, giving with one hand and taking much more with the other.

Tax avoidance and evasion by those who can afford expensive accountants could be costing the UK up to £100 billion; we should be going after this money rather than trying to get blood out of a stone.”