Leader of City of York Council, Cllr Claire Douglas, said:

“The Chancellor’s reduction in growth forecasts for this year and next are concerning and indicate his plan for the economy isn’t working.  I’m particularly disappointed by the fact that he has done absolutely nothing in response to the calls for vital support from local government as his Government forces it to cut and reduce services. His decision to freeze public investment spending in cash terms delivers a real terms cut when it’s evident the economy is in need of a boost to stimulate growth.

“The removal of the freeze on Local Housing Allowance rates is something, but too little and too late for the many families who’ve seen real terms reductions in support for housing costs in recent years from the Conservatives.

“On Planning announcements, it’s a mixed picture.  Applicants for major developments paying the full costs of the planning application process to speed it up could be a positive step forwards, depending on the detail, but permitted development rights for the subdivision of homes appears to be tacit acknowledgement that  Conservatives have failed and are unable to deliver the new homes the country needs”.