Theresa May in PMQs clash with Jeremy Corbyn saying ‘better times are ahead’ as Government ramps up public spending

THERESA May today vowed that "better times are ahead" for Brits as she pledged to end austerity.

The PM promised to ramp up public spending - but added that the Tories will not abandon "fiscal responsibility".

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And she blasted Jeremy Corbyn, saying Labour's secret plans for £1trillion in extra spending would "take us back to square one".

In furious scenes at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Corbyn accused Mrs May of tricking the public with her vow to bring austerity to an end.

The Labour leader pointed out that services including mental health, education, the police and local councils are all facing a continued squeeze from spending cuts.

But the PM hit back by saying that austerity was inevitable because of previous years of Labour splurges.

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Mrs May said: "We have had to make tough decisions.

"The reason we had to do that was because of the state of the public finances and the economy we were left by the Labour government.

"People have made sacrifices and they need to know that their hard work has paid off - and yes, better times are ahead under a Conservative government.";

But pledging to maintain a responsible approach, she added: "We will see debt falling and we will see support for our public services going up.

"Austerity is being brought to an end - what is not being brought to an end is fiscal responsibility."

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Mr Corbyn responded saying: "The Prime Minister declared she is ending austerity - but unless the Budget halts the cuts, isn't the claim that austerity is over simply a great big Conservative con?"

The PM replied: "Labour's plans would cost £1trillion.

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"Uncontrolled borrowing, spiralling taxes, working people paying the price of Labour - Labour taking us back to square one."

Speaking at the Tory conference last week, Mrs May vowed to end austerity next year after a nine-year spending squeeze.

Chancellor Philip Hammond is now under pressure to ramp up public spending in the Budget later this month.

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