The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Tim Farron, commenting on the Autumn Statement said:

“This was a deeply political budget from a deeply political Chancellor. It looks good in the theatrics of the Commons, with Labour divided, weak and inept, but the budget will unravel.

“It will unravel in schools next year when they see funding slashed; it will unravel when local councils have to cut services and increase taxes just to get by; and it will unravel when projects can’t be built because of the skills shortage caused by the attack on further education.

“The brighter outlook has given Osborne room for manoeuvre, yet he continues an ideological crusade to slash spending and attack working families on welfare.

“Today, was supposed to be a Long Term economic plan, but it was a short term economic scam.”