By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-03-27 07:41:35 | Updated at 2025-03-30 11:55:23
3 days ago
Shadow Minister Victoria Atkins has launched a scathing attack on Labour's economic policies, claiming the additional money promised for the NHS is primarily being spent on National Insurance increases and pay rises rather than frontline services.
Speaking to GB News, Atkins criticised Rachel Reeves' November budget and recent economic decisions.
She argued that Labour's promises of extra NHS funding are misleading.
"This £20billion they have been talking about over two years, the overwhelming majority of that money, is in fact, going to go on, guess what, paying the National Insurance hike and the pay rises that this Government promised without productivity reform," Atkins said.
Victoria Atkins criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves following her Spring Statement
PA / GB News
Atkins highlighted the "grave impacts" of Labour's economic decisions on rural communities.
"As a direct result of the decisions that Rachel Reeves made in her November budget, whether it's the family farm tax, whether it's the family business tax or the dreaded National Insurance hike, there are already very, very grave impacts being felt across the rural economy," she said.
The Shadow Minister described Labour's recent fiscal announcement as "a glum day for the economy".
She claimed it, "promises only a halving of growth, more unemployment year on year" which will lead to "much, much higher bills" for everyone.
Atkins told GB News that it is a 'glum day for the economy' following the announcement
GB News
She pointed to what she described as another broken promise from Labour, who "before the election said there shouldn't be a penny cut in welfare."
"Lo and behold, that's another break of promise," Atkins remarked.
Atkins emphasised the importance of a thoughtful approach to welfare reform, saying: "We want to help encourage people into work if they're able to, but we fully recognise that not everybody else is able to, and that's why the safety net is there."
"What they've done the last couple of weeks, and the worry they've put people through, I'm afraid, is not having that impact," she added.
