Now that there has been time to scrutinise the Chancellor’s announcement, the UK Labour budget is unravelling – as the longer-term effects are expected to be a continuation of economic chaos.

The value of the pound has already dropped like a stone; mortgage costs will remain higher than anticipated, notwithstanding the already predicted reduction in mortgage interest rates by the Bank of England this week, and both hospitality and agricultural sectors have slammed the measures announced by the Chancellor.

We all know there was absolute mayhem from the previous UK Government with the failed May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak Governments which followed on from the Cameron Government which turbo charged austerity.

During the General Election campaign, Labour denied there was a black hole in the public finances, but many organisations including the IFS highlighted it. So, the 'read my lips, no austerity under Labour’ comment from Anas Sarwar MSP during a TV election debate has already been shown to be utter nonsense. 

There are some immediate steps the Chancellor could have taken to right some of the past wrongs which both Labour and Tory Governments contributed to. 

This includes compensation for WASPI women, something that Labour politicians up and down the UK claim to care deeply about.

In opposition, Labour promised to deliver justice for the estimated 3.6 million women affected by the change in state pension age, but has completely ignored their calls. Women in Inverclyde are involved, and they have every right to feel let down.

In addition, there is the inheritance tax change for pensions. Many women will not have the same level of pension due to past employment law negatively affecting them. This new inheritance tax change will now also adversely affect them.

I’m sure my office will now become even busier with this budget with more households being dragged into financial challenges.