MP says Government has failed to deliver its promises

“In 2010 the Government told us they were going to balance the budget by 2015, then by 2020,” she said.

“Now they can’t tell us when they are going to balance the books at all. This was one of the Tories’ biggest mandate promises and they have failed spectacularly.

“Six years of austerity delivered nothing but misery for the people in society that can least afford it.”

Coun Ed Malcolm, South Tyneside Council’s Lead Member for Innovation and Resources, said: “There has been much expectation that the Autumn Statement would help those families who are just managing. However, in reality, there was little respite for hard-working families.

“While I welcome the announcements to raise tax thresholds, relentless cuts to local government funding will continue to have a detrimental impact on our communities.

North East Local Enterprise Partnership chairman Andrew Hodgson said: “The Chancellor’s focus on raising national productivity through substantial infrastructure and innovation investment mirrors the approach of the North East’s Strategic Economic Plan,” he said.

North East England Chamber of Commerce head of policy Jonathan Walker said it was too early to comment on much of the speech: “Overall the Autumn Statement has some welcome news.

“But we need to see more detail on many of the Chancellor’s announcements.”