The social democrats of the British labour Party have again betrayed the working class. While the 2025 UK Budget includes some relief measures (like scrapping the two child benefit cap), it also introduces significant tax rises and freezes thresholds, which disproportionately burden working class families. The “Labour” government taxes workers to the hilt while again letting the wealthy off the hook. For many working-class households, especially those with modest wage increases, the tax threshold freeze and broad tax hikes outweigh any potential benefits. What is, in effect, a stealth tax will mean that wages rising with inflation will push more workers into higher tax bands. Working class families see their earnings eroded reducing disposable income year after year through fiscal drag. The freeze in thresholds will mean hundreds of thousands more paying basic rate tax.

The budget introduced £30 billion in tax hikes, which will affect most households, however, instead of heavily taxing those most able to pay this “Labour” government insists that “everyone” must “contribute”. While the wealthy will survive and prosper, workers and their families already struggling with living costs will face higher deductions, leaving less for essentials like food, rent, and childcare. Workers will be dragged into paying 20 per cent income tax on earnings above £12,570.40 and 40 per cent from £50,271.00.

The Office for Budget Responsibility has warned that none of the proposed government measures boost economic growth, and workers will face the grim prospect of higher taxes without the offset of better employment prospects.

The British government has failed to address the serious problems facing the social care system and ensuring public sector workers are properly rewarded for their vital work. There is still a serious failure to provide proper investment in public services or adequate protection for the most vulnerable in society. There was no attempt to impose a wealth tax or to raise corporation and windfall taxes on big business and the monopolies.

The Budget provides an extra £370 million for the Northern Ireland Executive to invest in areas such as healthcare, education and transforming public services but this falls far short of what is needed.