Duncan Smith must spell out £12bn cuts: CBI
BRITAIN’S leading business group has criticised the Conservatives for failing to specify where cuts to welfare would come if it wins re-election in May.
In a television interview yesterday morning, the Conservative work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith said: “[Voters] know for certain that we are going to save that £12bn…We may not decide that it’s relevant to put something out there about those changes”.
Clarity over how the budget deficit will be reduced is key for business at this election, and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) raised concerns over the lack of specifics.
A spokesperson for the CBI commented: “Whatever the make-up of the next government, business will want them to stay on top of the public finances and keep growth on track. With much of the low-hanging fruit having been picked, we will need intelligent reductions together with much-needed investment in infrastructure and innovation. We look forward to all parties setting out their plans in the coming weeks.”
Labour’s Rachel Reeves said: “The public have a right to know who will be hit by the Tories’ plan and they must now come clean on their £12bn cuts.”
The Liberal Democrats also responded to Duncan Smith’s appearance on BBC’s Andrew Marr Show. Its General Election campaign spokesperson Lord Scriven said: “Iain Duncan Smith reckons that no decision has been made on where the Tories will make £12bn worth of welfare cuts, but we know working families will suffer the most.”