Local MP Alan Mak has condemned the Labour Government and Chancellor Rachel Reeves for not changing course on the economy.
He said her Spring Statement, an economic update on last year's Budget, was an opportunity to back business and stimulate growth.
Mr Mak continued: "The economy is stagnating and Labour should have used the Statement to change course.
"They should have cut welfare spending, invested in our small businesses and entrepreneurs and, importantly, increased spending on defence.
"Instead taxes are still going up to pay for more welfare and economic growth is non-existent - just 0.1% in the last quarter - and prices and bills are going up because inflation is still above the Bank of England's target."
He added: "The Labour Government has got the wrong plan for the country. Everyone can understand and feel the economy has got weaker under Labour and this Statement has just underlined how bad things are.
"Taxes, unemployment, welfare and borrowing are all going up and wages are down. People in my Constituency and across the country are feeling the pain."
Let Mr Mak know what you think about the Budget and the Spring Statement. Go to www.AlanMak.org.uk/Budget
