Ashby Town Councillor Carl Benfield has issued an attack on this week's Conservative Party budget - and says the Green Party offers a 'bold' alternative.

Cllr Benfield sits on the Town Council as the Greens only representative and says the current Government has 'run out of ideas'.

He said: "The budget is a stark statement from a government that has run out of ideas. 

"Instead of delivering the bold vision our country needs, it offers the same tired policies and financial sleight of hand that have failed to address the major challenges we face."

Cllr Benfield points out his key issues with the budget, which is likely to precede a General Election.

He said: "Protecting the Status Quo: This budget enshrines an unjust system where corporations and the wealthy avoid their responsibilities, while everyday people struggle. It's a clear signal that this government is more concerned with preserving the current power structures than building a fairer society. 

"Austerity v2.0: The continued commitment to austerity measures reveals a lack of understanding of the harm these policies cause. Further eroding public services will only deepen social divides and damage the fabric of our communities. 

"Climate Stasis: This budget contains no fresh approach to the climate crisis. It simply repeats the same inadequate investments and empty promises that have kept us on a path to environmental disaster. This is a government bereft of new solutions for the most pressing issue of our time. 

"A dystopic vision for the Future: The absence of a plan for a thriving green economy exposes a complete lack of imagination. This budget traps us in an old, polluting model, and leaves no room for the innovation and job creation vital to our future success"

Cllr Benfield then offers some 'Green' alternatives to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's budget.

He added: "The Green Party offers a fundamentally different approach, where bold ideas meet transformative action: 

"Fair Taxation: Asking those with the broadest shoulders to contribute their share, enabling us to revitalise essential public services and tackle inequality. Notably we are the only party to propose a wealth tax on those at the upper extreme of financial security. 

"A Green New Deal: A visionary programme to confront the climate crisis head-on, retool our economy with good jobs, and ensure everyone benefits from the transition. A Green Industrial Revolution will place our country at the forefront of clean energy and sustainable technology, creating a prosperous and resilient economy for the 21st century. 

"Investing in our Future: Prioritising public education, healthcare, and social support systems as the foundation for a thriving, inclusive society which directly addresses our productivity shortfall. After 14 years of failure, surely we are all ready for a real change? The Green Party offers just that."