Autumn Statement Reaction

22 November 2023

Responding to Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, the Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:

“Lower taxes alone will not lift our economy out of this long-term rut caused by thirteen years of underinvestment and cuts to public services.

“The only way to raise living standards, end the cost of living crisis and cut taxes in the long-term, is by investing in the things that really matter – housing, education, health and transport.

"As economic growth grinds to a halt, the need to level up and tackle inequalities is as pressing as ever. Local leaders stand ready to deliver on ambitious plans for their regions in a way that you cannot do from Whitehall.”  

Fatima Khan-Shah, Inclusivity Champion for West Yorkshire said: 

"Diversity is our strength in West Yorkshire, so I welcome the funding announced to tackle antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all other forms of racism.

"While the Chancellor acknowledged poor mental health as a barrier to work, his plan to impose extra conditions on Universal Credit will inflict greater stress and misery on our most vulnerable communities, risking more people taking long-term sick.

"We don’t need more national schemes written in Whitehall telling people to get back to work. We need greater power to join up services at a local, more trusted level, where we can support people back into work in a smart and compassionate way."