Ahead of Wednesday’s Spring Statement, the leader of Birmingham’s Labour Council is calling on the Chancellor to provide real help to the people of Birmingham by dropping his most damaging policies as the cost of living crisis continues to hammer working families. That means:

· Dropping the National Insurance Rise – which will push taxes to their highest levels in 70 years

· Provide real help with energy bills funded by a tax on the bumper profits of oil and gas companies

Ian Ward said:

“Families in Birmingham are struggling to pay the bills. Yet incredibly the Conservatives are planning to make things even worse with a 15th Tory tax rise in just two years. On top of everything else, the average worker in Birmingham faces a tax hike of £233 – that’s more than many families can bear.

“There is a much better way. Labour would drop the National Insurance hike, and provide real help with energy bills funded by a one off tax on the bumper profits of oil and gas companies.”