As the new Labour Government starts its first parliamentary term, today the King set out their plans for new legislation. Here we set out the reaction of JustMoney Movement to these plans, as they relate to our vision of a world where money shapes a fairer, greener future…
We welcome the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all on which the new Government says they will base their legislative programme. We remain concerned that sticking to arbitrary fiscal rules will hamstring the Government’s ability to fund our collapsing public services, bring down shamefully high levels of poverty and destitution, and tackle the climate and nature crises which threaten our future.
It’s good that the Government is recognising the impact of the cost of living ‘challenges’ but economic growth can’t be an end in itself. Instead we want to see an economic model rooted in values of human dignity and flourishing and the care of creation. We urge the Government to address the UK’s dangerously high inequality, such as through introducing a wealth tax and other reforms to tax wealth more, and more fairly. This could then raise vitally needed revenue to fund measures proposed in the Speech to improve education, skills, work and healthcare. We also wanted to see a stronger commitment to tackling poverty directly, such as removing the 2-child cap on Universal Credit, which could be achieved with this bolder programme of tax reform.
The emphasis on the urgency of the climate crisis is welcome, as are the practical measures to establish Great British Energy and accelerate the green transition, recognising the opportunities this presents. However the Government must take seriously the need for such a transition to be just as well as green – upholding human rights and environmental safeguards to protect workers, consumers and affected communities everywhere. We also underline the important principle to make polluters pay in order to raise the sums needed to tackle the loss and damage caused by the climate crisis globally.
We encourage parliamentarians, officials and ministers to put these and others measures into practice in ways that demonstrate love of neighbour, near and far, and care for our natural world. Finally we echo the closing words of the King in his speech today: “I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.” Let’s pray for our leaders to have wisdom and courage as they go about their work.