Mini budget shows Government not living in real world

TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has slammed the mini budget statement by the Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, in the Commons for its “voodoo economics” and anti-union laws which will “elongate disputes”. 

The Chancellor announced tax cuts, cuts to corporation tax, a hike in government borrowing and that unions will be required to put pay offers to members during talks.  

Commenting, Cortes said: “This mini budget showed the Tories aren't living in the real world and their voodoo economics will make the people of this country poorer, while destroying our vital public services.  

“Not content with that, Truss, Kwarteng and co are now planning to go further with their draconian anti-union laws. Unions are democratic organisations and industrial action only occurs as a last resort, and after a postal ballot of members which also includes having to meet undemocratic thresholds. 

“Frankly, having to ballot our members on pay offers before they can take industrial action will not make a blind bit of difference. If the offer is rubbish, it will still be rubbish whether our elected workplace reps have consulted our members on it, or a ballot has taken place.  

“This new Tory proposal will serve only to elongate disputes and generate greater anger among union members. It will do precisely nothing to encourage employers to come to the negotiating table with realistic offers.  

“Truss may try to call this a new era, but sadly we have yet more Tory ideological thunder rather and any kind of enlightenment.”