George Osborne’s ‘fight for full employment’ speech – full text

In a speech given at Tilbury Port in Essex, Chancellor George Osborne hailed cuts to business and personal taxes this week as the ‘biggest in two decades’ – and committed to ‘fight for full employment in Britain’. Here’s what he said:-

Thank you for coming here to Tilbury Port, this morning.

We’re all here at the start of the most important week of changes to our tax system for a generation.

These are the biggest cuts to personal and business taxes for two decades, and we’re making our benefit system more affordable and fairer too.

Changes which will affect the lives of millions of people.

Whether you are working or looking for work; whether you’re starting your own business or hiring someone new – these changes will help.

They are part of our long term plan to build a more resilient economy and create jobs.

Jobs are at the heart of what I want to talk to you about today:

Helping businesses to create jobs; helping people to get jobs; supporting people with jobs.