Yesterday the Chancellor, George Osborne gave his Autumn Statement, and it is clear that the Government’s plans for the economy are collapsing around their ears.

Let’s not mince words: the news is absolutely terrible.  Unemployment – already at a 15 year high - looks set to rise to 8.7% next year.  The Office for Budget Responsibility, set up by the Chancellor after the general election, downgraded their growth forecasts for the year, from 2.3% to 0.9%.  And because unemployment is rising and the economy is stalling, Government borrowing will be £158 billion more than planned. 

This Tory-led Government would have us believe that there is no alternative, just like they said back in the 1980s.  They are wrong.  They set out to cut the deficit too far and too fast, and now we are all paying the price for their recklessness.

There is an alternative to Tory mismanagement, which is wrecking the economic recovery that was underway when Labour left office.  It is called Labour’s 5-Point Plan for Jobs. 

A tax on bank bonuses to get 100,000 people back in work; bringing forward investment projects to get the economy moving; reversing the VAT rise, giving people more money in their pockets; cutting VAT on home improvements; and a National Insurance holiday for small firms who take on extra workers.

The Government’s Plan is hurting, but it isn’t working.  George Osborne needs to change course before it’s too late.

Write to Lyn Brown MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, email brownl@parliament.uk or call 020 7219 6999.