Ms Eastwood has said: “From struggling small businesses to working families and the most vulnerable in our society, everyone has felt the strain of rising costs and Labour’s leadership up to this point has done little to alleviate it.
“It’s time we saw this government get serious about making life better for them, and the upcoming Autumn Budget presents a key opportunity to finally do so.
“For example, scrapping the cruel and punitive two-child limit would lift thousands of children out of poverty. Cutting VAT for pubs, cafés, and restaurants would give a lifeline to the local businesses that are the beating heart of our communities. Inheritance tax reform would help protect family farms that are central to maintaining food security at a time of heightened geopolitical instability.
“The impact of the disastrous National Insurance hike has also been felt across our health providers and community and voluntary sector.
“While public services continue to crumble and nearly one in five are living in poverty, it’s simply unacceptable that last year in the UK, billionaires’ wealth increased by £35 million every single day. The case for a wealth tax and closing tax loopholes is a no-brainer.
“Northern Ireland has borne the brunt of last year's damaging Budget, but the Chancellor now has a chance to put things right and act to boost economic growth whilst addressing social inequality both in NI and right across the UK. However, we cannot do that without appropriate investment, and I hope we see every effort being taken to deliver it where it’s needed most.”