The Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park, Sarah Olney, has responded to the Autumn Statement, which was announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, in The House of Commons today (22 November).

Hunt said that there were more than one hundred measures in the full autumn statement, but he did not lay them all out in the Commons.

Some of the key announcements made were:

• A cut in national insurance - beginning in January the main rate for employees will be cut from 12% to 10%. Hunt also said that those who are self employed will benefit with some other changes to National Insurance.
• Benefits - Benefits will rise by 6.7% next year, in line with the inflation rate for September. However, recipients will have to undertake a mandatory work placement if they are still looking for a job after 18 months.
• Minimum Wage - Minimum wage will rise from £10.42 per hour to £11.44 an hour.
• Pensions - The state pension will rise by 8.5% next year and will reach £221 per week by April.
• Tobacco and alcohol - Tobacco duty has been put up by 10% and alcohol taxes have been frozen until 1 August.
• Tax breaks for businesses - The government is making a permanent taxbreak for businesses which allows them to offset investment in machinery, IT and equipment against corporation tax. It is also extending business rate relief for many small firms

Sarah Olney MP, who is also the Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson, said: "This is a deception from Jeremy Hunt after years of cruel tax hikes on hard-working families from this government.

"After years of Conservative chaos sending mortgage and tax bills soaring, today's announcements won't even touch the sides.

She added: "Worse still was the deafening silence on health. These dismal forecasts show the economy is on life support and reducing NHS waiting lists is the shot in the arm needed.

"It is a no-brainer that we need people off waiting lists and back to work, yet this Conservative government simply doesn't care.

"Today has been more stale nonsense from a Conservative government out of touch and out of ideas."