DA alternative budget focuses on 'cost of living crisis'
The Democratic Alliance has delivered an alternative Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) with five core priorities to tackle the country's cost of living.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will table the mid-term budget in the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon.
He will also elaborate on the move to cut spending for various departments in an attempt to restore the country’s finances over the medium term.
The DA's Dion George MP delivered the alternative budget on Monday, which proposes policy changes that the party believes would enable the country's economy to grow.
"Adjustments to government spending can redirect our fiscal trajectory from the cliff towards more sustainable budgeting and provide urgent relief to battling South African households,” said George.
“Throughout 2023, South Africans have become poorer and today face the worst cost of living crisis this country has ever seen, as households struggle to put enough food on their tables and millions go hungry.
“Unemployment continues to rise as business bears the brunt of unprecedented levels of rolling blackouts, and rapidly increasing debt is crowding out more and more basic service delivery.
“Major reforms are required for South Africa to recover. Reform starts by removing government-imposed barriers to growth," he said.
“The DA’s 2023 Alternative MTBPS is therefore anchored on a framework of fiscal prudence that prioritises the attainment of the primary budget surplus announced in February. Our focus concurrently lays the foundation for economic expansion and job creation.”
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