“The Chancellor’s announcement was a missed opportunity to levy a better windfall tax on the big energy generators and it was a mistake to remove the 45% tax-rate at a time when there are so many struggling low paid workers.
The Chancellor needs to make a statement where he explains his long-term economic plan and how the deficit will be tackled. He needs to address the vacuum. Decisions of this magnitude cannot be made in isolation without knock-on impacts.
We don’t, however, need a political punch and judy show. We need the rhetoric dialled down with calm and detailed plans laid out. This is not a game. There are livelihoods at stake. Whether the Chancellor’s statement is in Parliament or in some other forum, is a matter for the Government but there should be a detailed statement made.”