Oldham’s Liberal Democrats have slammed Conservative Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng MP for “rewarding the rich” in his ‘Mini-Budget’ today.

Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “People in Oldham are facing huge energy bills and soaring costs in supermarkets.  Meanwhile, the Conservatives are giving huge tax cuts to the highest earners, handing bankers unlimited bonuses; and protecting the profits of big energy companies while household bills skyrocket.”

“Oil bosses and London bankers will be popping the champagne while people in Oldham will be worrying about the cost of the weekly shop,”  he added.

In a move that will be welcomed by multiple homeowners, the Chancellor has also announced that stamp duty – the tax applied to property purchases – will be cut. 

Councillor Sykes said, “Cutting stamp duty will only inflate house prices and make it even harder for people to get on the housing ladder.  The government has tried this before and we know that those who benefit the most are those who own multiple properties.  This is just another example of the Conservatives rewarding the rich while most people in the country are struggling.”