I recently wrote about the promising signs that inflation would be falling this year.  The subsequent published figure of 8.7% was the first single digit inflation rate since August last year, but this is still far too high.  Inflation erodes living standards and only the Conservatives are serious about tackling it.

The risk is that large pay settlements could make high inflation become engrained, which is very damaging all-round, especially for the least well-off and those paying mortgages.  It’s worth remembering this when Labour politicians stand on picket lines and support strike action that is often in pursuit of unaffordable double-digit annual pay rises.  I think of the thousands of Crawley residents who have been inconvenienced by train strikes over the last year, and then I think of local Labour councillors grinning in photos taken at Three Bridges Station on the picket line.  These train strikes have been very damaging to our economy with the RMT union themselves saying the strikes have cost the UK economy £5 billion.

Economic growth is struggling across the world with the Eurozone in economic recession.  The UK remains in growth, although at a lower level than we’d like.  Like reducing inflation, growing our economy is also important in improving living standards.  While others talk about ‘having a plan’ that actually has no substance, the Conservatives are serious about growing our economy and ensuring everyone can benefit from it.

The government is incentivising businesses of all sizes to invest in our economy and secure jobs.  Business needs the confidence to invest, which is why what is known as full expensing is being introduced, which offers 100% first year tax relief on new business investment.  Delivering this tax cut will put £25 billion back into the economy over the next three years.

Also supporting the economy, the next five years will see £600 billion of government investment in key national infrastructure projects.  To remove barriers to work, 30 hours of free childcare will be provided for all parents, and the government will make it easier for people with disabilities to find the right job for them.

Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group

14th June 2023