Osborne: I will continue to take 'difficult decisions' after tax credits U-turn

Chancellor makes clear he is not abandoning his overall approach to eliminate structural budget deficit two years before 2020 election

George Osborne scraps tax credit cuts in U-turn


Nicholas Watt, Patrick Wintour and Larry Elliott 

George Osborne has said he will continue to take “difficult decisions” after he embarked on a spectacular U-turn on his planned tax credits cuts and to spare frontline policing from severe austerity.

The chancellor said he would continue to cut day-to-day government spending and the welfare budget as he seeks to adopt an “inherently cautious approach” to deliver an overall budget surplus of £10.1bn by 2019-20.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the chancellor said he had listened to critics after he abandoned his plans to cut £4.4bn from tax credits.

Osborne declined to apologise or to admit that he had made a mistake after he outlined the cuts in his July budget as part of his plan to deliver £12bn in welfare savings. Osborne will still deliver that overall level of cuts but will use £27bn of fiscal wriggle room gifted by the Office for Budget Reponsibility’s more benign forecast for tax receipts.

Asked by the Today presenter Nick Robinson whether he was admitting he had made a mistake and was apologising or whether he had simply been forced to change tack by critics, the chancellor said his “central judgment” to move to a lower welfare and higher wage economy was the right one.

“We are moving in the right direction and we are making billions of pounds of savings in the welfare budget. But people raised concerns with me that the speed of getting there was too quick, that we weren’t doing enough to help families in the transition. And because the public finances had improved a little I could use some of that improvement to smooth the transition to that lower welfare economy. So we are heading in the same direction, we are just taking an easier path to it.”

George Osborne scraps tax credit cuts in welfare U-turn

Osborne made clear that he was not abandoning his overall approach, which is to eliminate the structural budget deficit two years before the 2020 election and to deliver an overall budget surplus of £10.1bn a year before the election.

He said: “It is not an end to the difficult decisions, that spending review. There are going to be difficult choices for different government departments. Billions of pounds of savings, billions of pounds of savings in the welfare budget as well. This spending review sets out what Britain needs to do to stop borrowing, run a surplus, pay down our debt. It takes those difficult decisions in day-to-day spending so we can invest in the long term.” The chancellor added that there was “light at the end of the tunnel”.

Cuts to universal credit – the benefit set to replace tax credits for most claimants in the last years of the parliament – are to go ahead. About 140,000 people currently receive universal credit.

The cut to work allowances in universal credit was announced in the summer budget, and according to specialist thinktanks it will leave about 3m households about £1,000 a year worse off on average by 2020 than if tax credits had remained at their current levels.

The Resolution Foundation welcomed the change to tax credits but said it was pain delayed rather than abandoned. A single parent with one child, working part-time on the national living wage and making a new universal credit claim, would lose £2,800 by 2020, the thinktank said.

According to analysis by Liverpool Economics for the Guardian, the losses will come sooner for those already on universal credit. A working single parent with two children will be £2,600 worse off by April 2016.

Osborne’s U-turn on tax credits means he faces the political embarrassment of needing to go to the Commons to seek permission to breach his self-imposed welfare cap for three years from 2016.


Overall, he described the spending review as the work of “the mainstream representatives of the working people of Britain”.

John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, claimed Osborne’s change of heart on tax credits and police budgets as a “victory for Labour”, but also dismayed some Labour MPs by tossing a copy of Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book at the chancellor in an attempt to illustrate that the Treasury was flogging off state assets to the Chinese.


The OBR made substantial upward revisions to its projections for VAT and corporation tax, and reduced its forecast for interest payments on the UK’s national debt.

Osborne announced three major tax changes that will raise a total of £28.5bn over the next five years. The chancellor said he would raise £3bn a year from a new apprenticeship levy on bigger businesses; £2bn a year from councils, which will be given greater power and financial responsibility but smaller government grants; and £1bn from higher stamp duty – an extra three percentage points – on the purchase of buy-to-let properties and second homes.

Together with the pick-up in tax receipts, this allowed the chancellor to safeguard the £10bn budget surplus he has pencilled in for the final year of the parliament.
public sector net borowing

Against a backdrop of weaker global growth, the chancellor said a surplus was necessary to ensure that Britain was ready for any storms that might lie ahead. “We are mending the roof while the sun is shining,” he said.

Osborne said a doubling of the housing budget would ensure the biggest housebuilding programme by any government since the 1970s. He also announced an extension to London of the Treasury’s help-to-buy scheme – originally supposed to be a time-limited three-year programme when introduced in 2013.


Homebuyers in the capital able to find a 5% deposit will be able to get an interest-free loan worth up to 40% of the value of a newly built home. The idea had been strongly pushed by Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative candidate in next May’s London mayoral election, which is being seen as the first big test of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party leadership.

Ray Boulger, of the mortgage advisers John Charcol, said the delay until next April in bringing in the changes to stamp duty risked setting off a property boom. “Giving four months notice of a substantial (150% for properties between £125,001 and £250,000) increase in stamp duty land tax brings back memories of the short-term boom before bust in 1988 caused by the chancellor giving similar notice of the abolition of double Miras (mortgage interest relief at source).

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Each of the successive five draft forecasts sent confidentially to the chancellor by the OBR before the spending review was more optimistic than the previous one, giving the chancellor more and more leeway to meet his goal of putting the overall budget into surplus by 2019-20, execute a U-turn on tax credits and spare many government departments some of the pain they were expecting. In March, government departments faced a cumulative spending cut of £30bn by 2019-20. 

These estimates fell to £18bn in July and £10.4bn in November.
Nevertheless, the spending review contained an array of cuts that will change the shape of the state, adding up to cumulative cuts of more than 45% for many key departments since 2009-10.

Specific changes include:
An end to grants for student nurses, who must now pay for their own training with the help of loans. The cap on recruitment of student nurses will be lifted.

Higher student loan repayments for people who have graduated since 2012. They will have to pay about £300 a year more.
A £15m boost for women’s charities to be paid from the so-called tampon tax – the VAT levied on sanitary products.
A cap on housing benefit rates in the social housing sector, limiting them to the same rate as private-sector housing benefit rates.
A 19% cut in state funding for opposition parties.
An overhaul of schools funding to even out regional variations and cuts to the further education budget that will mean funding per student for 16- to 19-year-olds in sixth forms and colleges is cut by 9.4% by 2020.

LEAT WATOA MIZINGA 350 KWA VIKUNDI VYA UFUGAJI NYUKI

Afisa Utumishi, Allan Mwela akikabidhi moja ya mizinga kwa mwanachama wa kikundi cha wafuga nyuki kutoka kijiji cha Utosi kilichoko wilaya ya Mufindi.

Mkuu wa wilaya Richard Kasesela akikabidhi moja ya mizinga 175 kwa mfugaji nyuki kutoka Kiwele

Baadhi ya wafugaji nyuki wakisikiliza hotuba ya mkuu wa wilaya ya Iringa Richard Kasesela. (Picha na Denis Mlowe)

NA DENIS MLOWE, MUFINDI

TIMU ya Wanasheria Watetezi wa Mazingira kwa Vitendo (LEAT) kwa kushirikiana na Shirika la Maendeleo la Marekani (USAID) umetoa jumla ya mizinga ya kufugia nyuki 350, kwa vikundi 16 vya wilaya ya Mufindi na Iringa vilivyoko katika mkoa wa Iringa.

Akizungumza wakati wa ugawaji wa mizinga hiyo iliyofanyika katika kata ya Sadan wilayani Mufindi juzi, Afisa mradi wa LEAT kutoka Mufindi Jamal Juma alisema lengo la mradi huo ni kuimarisha uhifadhi wa mazingira na kuongeza kipato cha jamii kwa njia ya kufuga nyuki na kupanda miti.
 

Alisema kuwa malengo mengine mahususi ya mradi huo ni kuleta ufanisi wa kulinda, kutunza na kutumia kwa njia endelevu rasilimali za misitu na kuongeza kipato cha mwananchi mjasiriamali mara baada ya mauzo ya asali iliyovunwa kupitia mizinga hiyo.

Alisema kuwa Tanzania ni miongoni mwa mataifa machache yenye utajiri mkubwa wa rasilimali za asili mathalani misitu na wanyapori hivyo kuwa chanzo kikubwa cha mapato kwa mwananchi mmoja mmoja na taifa kwa ujumla.

Juma alisema kuwa kutokana na hali hiyo kuna changamoto mbalimbali za usimamizi na uhifadhi zikiambatana na uchomaji moto ovyo, kuchoma mkaa,ukataji miti uliokithiri na ujangiri mambo ambayo inasababisha hasara kwa taifa.

Alisema kuwa kutokana na changamoto hizo husababisha umaskini, kukauka kwa vyanzo vya maji kutoweka kwa uoto wa asili na kuongezeka kwa athari za mabadiliko ya tabia nchi.

“Mradi huu utasaidia sana jamii ya watu wa wilaya ya Mufindi walioko katika vikundi vya ufugaji nyuki kuhakikisha unaboresha kipato kwa kuendesha mafunzo ya ufugaji nyuki na uvunaji, upandaji miti,kusaidia jamii kwa kuzipatia vitendea kazi vya ufugaji nyuki kama hivi ambavyo leat imetoa kwa kusaidiana na USAID utasaidia kuondokana na changamoto zote hizo endapo utafanyiwa kazi kwa umakini. “ alisema 

Alisema kuwa awamu ya kwanza ya mradi vimenufaisha vikundi 8 vyenye watu 22 vilivyoko katika vijiji vya Lugoda, Lutali, Igombalavanu, Uhimbila, Mapogoro, Utosi, Tambalang’ombe, Kibada na Nyololo katika wilaya ya Mufindi na vikundi 8 katika wilaya ya Iringa ambapo kila kikundi kimepata mizinga 22 kama mtaji

Kwa upande wake Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Mufundi,Joika Kasunga katika hotuba yake iliyosomwa na Afisa Utumishi, Allan Mwela amewaasa wananchi wanaokaa pembezoni mwa misitu kuacha kufanya shughuli za uhalibifu wa msitu ikiwemo uchomaji moto kwa ajili ya uwindaji shughuli za kilimo pamoja na uchomaji wa mkaa.

Aidha amewataka wananchi wa kuitunza vizuri misitu ili kuweza kuendelea kupata mvua kwa wingi na kuondokana na mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa yaliyopo kwa sasa kwani misitu inavyoathiliwa na wananchi kwa matumizi ya kila siku na kusema kuwa chanzo cha misitu hiyo kuharibika ni kutokana na wananchi wenyewe.

“Uhifadhi wa misitu sio suala la mtu mmoja au kundi moja ila la watu wote hii inatokana na ukweli kwamba madhara yatokanayo na uaribifu wa mazingira hayana mipaka na humpata kila mtu hivyo ni wajibu wa kila mtanzania kushiriki katika kulinda maliasili” alisema

Aliwapongeza Leat kwa kuweza kuwasadia wajasiliamali walioko katika vikundi vya kuondokana na umaskini kwa njia ya ufugaji wa nyuki.

The level of gender-based violence in Iringa Region is 54 percent

 

Msanii kutoka Kikundi cha Sanaa cha Mundu Cultural Groups maarufu kwa jina la Mussa Manyoka akionyesha umaili wake wa kucheza na nyoka wakati wa uzinduzi wa siku 16 za kupinga ukatili wa kijinsia uliyofanyika katika viwanja vya Mwembetogwa, Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Iringa jana.

Katibu Tawala wa Mkoa wa Iringa, Wamoja Ayubu (wa tatu kushoto) akipitia hotuba yake kabla ya kuisoma huku wageni wengine wakifuatilia burudani iliyokuwa ikitolewa na Kikundi cha Sanaa cha Mundu Cultural Groups wakati wa uzinduzi wa siku 16 za kupinga ukatili wa kijinsia uliyofanyika katika viwanja vya Mwembetogwa, Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Iringa jana. (Picha zote na Friday Simbaya)

Iringa Region is one of the regions that have the highest concentration of cases of gender based violence (GBV), according to the study conducted by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2012.

25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. The 16 Days of Activism end on 10 December (International Human Rights Day).

The statement was made yesterday by the Iringa Regional Administration Secretary (RAS), Wamoja Ayubu during the launching of the 16 days against gender-based violence held at Mwembetogwa grounds in the Iringa Municipal Council.

She said that the research shows that the level of gender-based violence in Iringa Region is 54 percent, adding that this rate is higher compared to the national average of 44 percent.

RAS said that the study suggests that there is a strong correlation between the presence of acts of sexual violence and the increase in HIV Infection (HIV) and AIDS.

"Our region of Iringa is one of the regions that has a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS to be 9.1 percent (10.9 women and men 6.9); and to make it become the second region in Tanzania to be infected by HIV and AIDS after Njombe region with 14.9 percent of infections, "said Ayubu.

She said that the relationship of acts of sexual violence and HIV and AIDS increase is due to the fact that many acts of sexual violence against children was especially unprotected sex without using condoms, thereby accelerating HIV infection and AIDS.

Likewise, customs and traditions hazards such as widow inheritance, having multiple sexual partners, poverty and their excessive drinking contributes significantly to physical violence and sexual violence, leading to an increase in HIV and AIDS.

GBV is a problem that needs to harness the collective responsibility between government and non-governmental organizations, religious organizations, political parties and individuals to be held accountable accordingly to minimize acts of sexual violence in Iringa Region.

In addition organizations such as USAID, Engender Health, JHPIEGO-VOICE, AFRICARE, WCS and UNICEF together with officials from the Department of Community Development, Department of Health and Social Welfare, Police and courts were involved in to prepare inauguration against acts of sexual violence in Iringa yesterday.

The joint launch was also accompanied by the slogan for 2015's "Opens: Take action and defend a child to have education". 

Around the world, 246 million children experience gender‐based violence at or on their way to school every year. 

A report released by the United Nations Human Rights Council noted that attacks on schools occurred in at least 70 countries between 2009‐2014, and that approximately 3,600 attacks against schools, teachers and students were recorded in 2012 alone.

The truth is that gender‐based violence in schools is happening in every country in the world right now. 

It is a global phenomenon preventing children, especially girls, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups from accessing a safe, inclusive and quality education.

MKOA WA IRINGA UNA KIWANGO KIKUBWA CHA MATUKIO YA UKATILI WA KIJINSIA

 

 Msanii kutoka Kikundi cha Sanaa cha Mundu Cultural Groups maarufu kwa jina la Mussa Manyoka akionyesha umaili wake wa kucheza na nyoka wakati wa uzinduzi wa siku 16 za kupinga ukatili wa kijinsia uliyofanyika katika viwanja vya Mwembetogwa, Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Iringa jana.

Katibu Tawala wa Mkoa wa Iringa, Wamoja Ayubu (wa tatu kushoto) akipitia hotuba yake kabla ya kuisoma huku wageni wengine wakifuatilia burudani iliyokuwa ikitolewa na Kikundi cha Sanaa cha Mundu Cultural Groups wakati wa uzinduzi wa siku 16 za kupinga ukatili wa kijinsia uliyofanyika katika viwanja vya Mwembetogwa, Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Iringa jana. (Picha zote na Friday Simbaya)

Mkoa wa Iringa ni mojawapo ya mikoa ambayo ina kiwango kikubwa cha matukio ya ukatili wa kijinsia, kutokana na utafiti uliyofanywa na Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii na Shirika la Taifa la Takwimu (NBS) mwaka 2012.

Hayo yamesemwa na Katibu Tawala wa Mkoa wa Iringa (RAS), Wamoja Ayubu wakati wa uzinduzi siku 16 za kupinga ukatili wa kijinsia uliyofanyika katika viwanja vya Mwembetogwa, Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Iringa jana.

Alisema kuwa utatifi unaonyesha kuwa kiwango cha ukatili wa kijinsia katika Mkoa wa Iringa ni asilimia 54, na kuongeza kuwa kiwango hiki ni kikubwa ukilinganisha na wastani wa kitaifa wa asilimia 44.

RAS alisema kuwa utafiti huo unaonyesha kuwa kuwa kuna uhusiano mkubwa kati ya uwepo wa vitendo vya ukatili wa kijinsia na ongezeko la Maambukizi ya Virusi vya Ukimwi (VVU) na Ukimwi.

“Mkoa wetu wa Iringa ni mojawapo ya mikoa ambayo ina kiwango kikubwa cha maambukizi ya VVU na Ukimwi kwa kuwa na asilimia 9.1 (wanawake 10.9 na wanaume 6.9); na kufanya kuufanya kuwa mkoa wa pili Tanzania kwa kuwa na maambukizi ya VVU na Ukimwi baada ya Mkoa wa Njombe wenye asilimia 14.9 ya maambukizi,” alisema Ayubu.

Alisema kuwa uhusiano wa vitendo vya ukatili wa kijinsia na kuongezeka kwa VVU na Ukmwi ni kutokana na ukweli kwamba vitendo vingi vya ukatili hasa wa kingono vinafanyika bila kutumia kinga, hivyo kuongeza kasi ya maambukizi VVU na Ukimwi.

Kadhalika mila na desturi hatarishi kama kurithi wajane, kuwa na wapenzi wengi, umasikini na ulevi uliopindukia huchangia kwa kiasi kikubwa kutokea kwa ukatili wa kimwili na ukatili wa kingono, hivyo kupelekea kuongezeka kwa VVU na UKIMWI.

Ukatili wa kijinsia ni tatizo linalohitaji kuunganisha nguvu za pamoja kati ya serikali na Asasi zisizo ya kiserikali, madhehebu ya dini, vyama vya siasa na mtu binafsi kwa kuwajibika ipasavyo ili kupunguza vitendo vya ukatili wa kijinsia katika Mkoa wa Iringa.

Uzinduzi wa siku 16 za kupinga ukatili wa kijinsia hufanyika kila mwaka tarehe 25 Novemba, siku 16 za kupinga utakili wa kijinsia hujumuisha Siku ya Ukimwi duniani tarehe 01/12, Siku ya watu wenye ulemavu duniani tarehe 03/12 na Siku ya haki ya haki za binadamu tarehe 10/12 kwa kufanya shughuli mbalimbali yenye lengo la kupinga vitendo vya ukatili wa kijinsia.

Aidha mashirika kama vile USAID, Engender Health, JHPIEGO-SAUTI, AFRICARE, WCS na UNICEF pamoja na maafisa kutoka Idara ya Maendeleo ya Jamii, Idara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii, Jeshi la Polisi na mahakama walishiriki katik kuandaa uzinduzi huo dhidi ya vitendo vya ukatili wa kijinsia mkoani Iringa jana.

Uzinduzi huo wa pamoja pia ulikwenda sambamba na kauli mbiu ya mwaka 2015 ya “FUNGUKA: Chukua hatua mlinde mtoto apate elimu” ilikuweza kuwafikia wananchi walio wengi zaidi.

Mwisho