This week, GB News came to East Sussex to interview some of our local small businesses, which have been overwhelmingly hit by the impact of Labour’s Autumn Budget, which imposed £40 billion in tax hikes on hardworking business owners.
They were hoping for some respite in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement but concerned that this Labour government simply doubles down on mistakes rather than face reality, and admit they were wrong.
Their fears were justified; yesterday’s Spring Statement - in reality, an Emergency Budget - only confirmed that Rachel Reeves and the Labour government have no plan for growth and no interest in supporting businesses.
Spring is a time of renewal and fresh opportunities, but there was nothing of the sort in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement. Instead of offering businesses much-needed relief, Labour doubled down on the same failed economic policies that have already done so much damage.
Businesses had been hoping for respite, but many feared what we now know to be true—this Labour government refuses to face reality.
Rather than admit their mistakes and reverse the crippling tax hikes from their Autumn Budget, they are sticking to their high-tax, anti-growth agenda that is strangling investment, damaging confidence, and holding businesses back.
Instead of taking emergency action to reverse the damage, Reeves doubled down on the same failed tax-and-spend policies that are crushing businesses, stalling investment, and stifling growth.
Labour either does not understand how growth works or is so blinded by ideology, they will not accept reality - or both. Rachel Reeves blames everyone else; her arrogance and lack of insight is staggering. Come on Rachel, you are only fooling yourself.
You have mismanaged the economy, and it is your policies which are driving up borrowing, cutting growth, slowing investment, and eroding business confidence.
Rachel Reeves has defended the policies announced in the Spring Statement to GB News on Thursday morning GB NEWSLabour fails to understand how growth works; businesses grow the economy, not governments. Ministers sitting in Whitehall do not create wealth.
It is entrepreneurs - those willing to take risks, invest their savings, and build something from nothing. In Sussex, small businesses are the backbone of our local economy – the lifeblood of our communities – creating jobs and driving innovation. Our businesses need action, not excuses.
A pro-growth government would understand this and empower businesses to succeed. Instead, Labour’s economic policies punish risk-takers, suffocate businesses with higher taxes, and fail to create the conditions for growth.
Labour had a chance to change course. They refused. In fact, the situation for businesses will only get worse with the implementation of the Employment Rights Bill – the ‘Job Killer Bill’. This damning piece of legislation will increase costs and legal risks for businesses.
This, alongside Labour’s destructive economic policies will discourage investment, stifle job creation and will place ever increasing burdens on businesses already struggling with rising costs and economic uncertainty.
LATEST MEMBERSHIP OPINION:
Labour is under fire for its tax policies GETTY/PA However, there may be some hope with the prospect of devolution and the opportunity for regional mayors to counter Labour policies.
This hope grows more certain if the electorate vote for Conservative mayors who know how to fight for businesses, protect jobs, and build pro-growth, pro-enterprise futures for their regions.
For those businesses in East Sussex who spoke to GB News last week, they could look forward to a Conservative Mayor who will fight for them and deliver a pro-growth future for Sussex.
While Labour is determined to squeeze businesses with higher taxes, a strong, unapologetic Conservative Mayor, who understands the unique challenges and opportunities of our coastal, rural, and urban communities could counter these destructive policies at a local level—if given the necessary powers.
This is the clear alternative to Labour’s anti-business agenda.
