The worst recession in 300 years is down to government inaction, the Labour spokesman for the economy in Swindon said.

Chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak announced in his spending review this week he expected an 11.3 per cent contraction in the UK economy due to the coronavirus crisis, and introduced new measures to reduce spending, including a freeze on non-NHS public sector pay rises.

He said local authorities would have more flexibility to raise money especially to pay for adult social care.

But Labour councillor Junab Ali was critical. He said: “We’re going through the worst downturn in the G7 – and that’s down to this Conservative government’s failure to take responsible decisions to get the economy back on its feet.

“The chancellor said our economic emergency has just begun – try telling that to the people in Swindon who have been out of work since March.

“It’s now clear that the British people will have to pick up the bill for his mistakes. Buried in the small print of his statement is a potential rise of up to five per cent in council tax – a bombshell that will hit people in Swindon hard. There was no clarity for businesses on what targeted support they’ll get after lockdown ends but strict restrictions continue – clarity which businesses in Swindon really need and deserve.

“We needed action to recover jobs, retrain workers and rebuild business, with a relentless focus on jobs and growth.

"Instead, the chancellor missed his chance to make our country the best to grow up in and the best to grow old in. People in Swindon deserve better.”

Swindon’s Conservative MPs, Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson had praised Mr Sunak’s intervention. They said: “The spending review tackles this unprecedented situation head on – ensuring lives and livelihoods in Swindon are protected and supported in the weeks and months ahead.

“At the same time, we were elected at last year’s general election on a commitment to level up communities like ours, and we are pleased that this Conservative government is now making good on that promise – by delivering a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure that will create jobs, grow the economy and increase pride in the place we call home.”