Conservative MP Andrew Griffith has launched a scathing attack on the Labour government’s economic management, describing recent public spending cut plans as “absolute blind panic”.
Speaking on GB News, the former business minister claimed Chancellor Rachel Reeves “has no credibility” amid mounting pressure over her economic plans.
His comments come as the Treasury ordered cabinet ministers to be “ruthless” in identifying spending cuts, following a turbulent week in financial markets.
Griffith criticised the government’s handling of the economy, pointing to new data showing businesses are reducing hiring and confidence is “on the floor”, with borrowing costs reaching near 30-year highs.
Andrew Griffith lashed out at Rachel Reeves
PA / GB NEWS
An internal letter from Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, sent to cabinet colleagues on December 12, revealed the government’s push for stringent budget cuts.
Jones wrote that the upcoming spending review “cannot be a business-as-usual” exercise and will require “ruthless prioritisation”.
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Rachel Reeves introduced cuts in her Budget last year
GB NEWS
The Treasury has ordered a complete review of all government spending lines to assess priorities and value for money.
The spending review, dubbed “phase two” by the Treasury, follows October’s Budget which raised taxes by £40 billion.
Departments are already expected to make efficiency savings worth 5 per cent of their budgets.
The government is reportedly planning significant cuts to disability benefits and other welfare payments to save billions of pounds.
Andrew Griffith spoke on GB News
GB NEWS
The cost of disability benefits is expected to rise by 60 per cent to £35 billion annually by 2029.
The Department for Work and Pensions is being “targeted for significant cuts”, with potential changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
Plans include stricter eligibility rules for disability benefits and requiring more substantial proof that payments are necessary.
Some individuals might see their cash benefits replaced with alternative forms of support, according to reports.
The changes are expected to be unveiled later this year, with a Budget in March and a spending review in June.
Griffith slammed the government’s initial budget decisions, saying “difficult decisions should have been made when the Chancellor originally did her budget”.
“There was nothing in there on welfare reform, she tipped a huge amount of money into public sector pay,” he told GB News.
The Conservative MP criticised the government’s spending priorities, saying they were “spanking billions up the wall on failed ideas around energy”.
He also referenced controversial foreign policy decisions, claiming the government was “desperately trying to pay Mauritius to take away some of our sovereign territory”.
“It’s not a credible idea that Rachel Reeves is now going to come out and make difficult decisions,” he added. “All the decisions she’s made have been the wrong ones.”
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