Ms Reeves claimed under the Tories the country had cared “more about bats than building homes”, and that something was finally changing with ‘ambitious’ planning reforms
Rachel Reeves has vowed to leave “no stone unturned” to get Britain’s economy firing.
The Chancellor has pledged to unleash a series of pro-growth reforms to see the UK building, investing and growing again. Ms Reeves claimed under the Tories the country had cared “more about bats than building homes”, and that something was finally changing with “ambitious” planning reforms.
Between now and the Budget on November 26, Ms Reeves will spearhead a cross-Government drive to kickstart the economy through a series of pro-growth announcements.
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Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mirror, Ms Reeves promised to pull “every lever”, ensuring everyone could get quality homes and jobs. She said: “I’m leaving no stone unturned to get the economy unstuck. When Britain builds, Britain grows – and I want spades in the ground not projects stuck in the mud.
“When we came into government last year the planning system was broken. Huge projects like Gatwick and Sizewell C stalled, homes for hardworking families unbuilt and growth held back. As a country we have cared more about bats than building the homes, railways, roads and energy infrastructure that people need – that ends now.
“I am a Chancellor that backs the builders not the blockers. Our amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will show we are serious about cutting red tape, speeding up projects and showing investors that Britain is a place where we can get things done.
“Growth is the bedrock of a prosperous economy and I am determined to pull every lever to get our economy firing again – to deliver homes, jobs and investment across the country. By going further and faster to unlock growth I know we can deliver a Britain built for all.”
The Chancellor is also expected to show how she will be making the right choices to steer the country away from decline and create a fair economy that rewards working people. It follows previous announcements including investing more than £113 billion compared to the previous Government to deliver growth, including £22.6 billion per year for Research and Development to boost innovation, and establishing the National Wealth Fund to catalyse over £70 billion of private investment.
A Treasury source said: “Britain is facing a once in a generation challenge, after years of underinvestment and global headwinds have put stability at risk. Borrowing more would put our public finances in jeopardy, saddling future generations with more debt while a return to austerity would condemn the country to decline.
“That’s why the Chancellor is laser focused on pulling every lever to stimulate growth across the country and get our economy firing again. Be it ripping up regulations and red tape to get Britain building the transport links and housing we need, to creating the conditions to stimulate investment and bring prosperity to every region, she will ensure the Government goes further and faster on growth – creating a fair economy that rewards working people.”
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