Carmichael demands investment in hospitals, schools and police

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has called on the chancellor of the exchequer to increase investment in public services as part of the spring budget.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Tuesday, Mr Carmichael called on Philip Hammond to recognise the need for further investment in hospitals, schools and the police.

He said: “It is to be welcomed that the deficit is getting back to a manageable level but the chancellor of the exchequer must know, because even his own backbenchers are telling him, that extra money is needed now for our hospitals, for our schools, and our police, and that money isn’t there because of the previous decisions to make premature cuts to capital tax and inheritance tax.”

The chancellor responded: “I do believe it matters because it’s what drives living standards and we are putting extra money into public services. Eleven billion pounds in 2018/19 that I have put in since I have been chancellor”

Commenting afterwards, Mr Carmichael said: “The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has today shown our economic growth rate to be one of the slowest in the G20 group of nations. The government’s lack of clarity and transparency in their handling of Brexit has discouraged investment and confidence in our economy. If our economy doesn’t grow, we do not have the money to invest in our public services.

He added: “This spring statement shows that the government has simply frozen. They are incapable of responding to the challenges that we now face. It is because of the Government’s cuts to capital gains tax and inheritance tax we do not have the extra money needed for more investment in our frontline services.”