SO according to Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, there is to be no return to austerity under Labour. What is she on? Try telling that to the families struggling to get by as the Labour government voted to continue with the two-child benefit cap, or to the pensioners who are missing out on this year’s Winter Fuel Payment – just as Ofgem announce that the profit-rich energy companies can hike up their prices again!

READ MORE: More than 60,000 call on Rachel Reeves to 'protect older people' in Budget

Of course there is no return to austerity, as even with a new Labour government the same Tory austerity policies are still in place. Labour haven’t moved an inch from the Tory austerity agenda and are unlikely to do so even though they now realise their warnings of a tough Budget have stopped families and businesses from spending for fear of further cuts and price rises.

How can Labour build a better economy based on growth when they continually warn about a difficult Budget and effectively warn people and businesses off from spending now to increase growth?

Cllr Kenny MacLaren
Paisley