Former Eastbourne MP blasts cuts in Spring Budget

Stephen Lloyd called on the current Conservative MP Caroline Ansell to speak out, particularly concerning cuts to schools.

He said, “We heard [Tuesday] that the Chancellor is also going to give another £320m to expand Free and Grammar schools.

“This in addition to a Free School budget that is already predicted to exceed an astonishing £9bn, whilst they are ‘significantly’ cutting funding per pupil at ‘all’ our other schools.

“The situation has become so difficult I am aware our local schools have taken the unprecedented step of urging parents to write to the MP so that she can lobby her Government to stop the cuts, which are affecting the vast bulk of her constituents’ children. I do hope she steps up.”

Mr Lloyd also criticised 30 per cent cuts to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) as “shameful”.

He said, “I still find it incredible how any Tory MP can honestly believe the best way to encourage someone with a disability into a job is to slash their money by 30 per cent a week.”

He also said a resident had informed him about reductions to benefits payments for those who suffer parental bereavement at a young age, calling this a “bad business”.

Mr Lloyd said, “Make no mistake – these three examples show who this Government considers important – and who it doesn’t. And they are quite unashamed about looking after their own.

“If however you are vulnerable or just pretty much an ordinary person in a normal job trying your best to get on and having to deal with the problems and challenges that come our way sometimes – well, not so much.”