Two of the biggest unions give the Budget a lukewarm reception. Unite calls its measures 'baby steps', and Unison says it falls short of the Prime Minister's ambition.
Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, welcomes the relief on energy bills and some investment in jobs. But she says, according to Left Foot Forward, that "these are baby steps rather than a decisive leap forward."
She also demands action on frozen tax thresholds:
"The noose around the neck of wages, in the shape of frozen tax thresholds, must be dealt with. Started by the Tories in 2022, it is dragging workers into unfair tax bands and reducing disposable income."
Her claim that the freeze began in 2022 has not been independently checked.
Andrea Egan, Unison's general secretary, welcomes the bank tax and what Unison says is a permanent rise in mileage rates. She adds:
"But this was the government's first chance to turn the prime minister's historic ambition for a new economic settlement into action. On that count it falls short."
The Morning Star also reports the unions' reaction.