British Economy: Britons wary of politicians promising to end austerity

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Europe

01:59

British Finance Minister Philip Hammond will present his annual budget on October 29, when he is expected to spell out how he plans to honour Prime Minister Theresa May's promise that austerity is over, while the public still hold doubt toward it, let's take a look.

Many Britons are sceptical of spending promises from politicians after eight years of austerity measures. In the southern port city of Portsmouth, residents say standards of public services have declined. Since 2010 funding budgets from Westminster have shrunk forcing local councils to deploy spending cuts.

CAROLE GATRELLPORTSMOUTH RESIDENT "I've got a granddaughter that needs help, special needs - they cut back all the classroom assistants. The classes are too big, to get an appointment at the doctor's now you can't get appointments. Generally, the country is going down the pan as far as I am concerned."

British Prime Minister May told her party's annual conference this month that "a decade after the financial crash, people need to know that the austerity it led to is over and that their hard work has paid off". But with low levels of trust in politics in Britain, many people are wary of broken promises.

SANDRA ROSEDEVON RESIDENT "They are all liars. I've been on this planet for 55 years and I haven't seen anything better. They have all lied. Whatever one tells you on your doorstep, what he is going to do or she is going to do something. The man in the street is never better off."

This is the final Budget before a deal is struck with the European Union. British finance ministers typically deliver their autumn statements on the budget in November. Philip Hammond announced earlier than usual as the government prepares for a crucial Brexit summit in November.