Stephen Timms has branded the chancellor all talk while also applauding his Spending Review U-turn on tax credits cuts.

The chancellor was expected to ease the impact of cuts to tax credits today but instead scrapped them altogether.

He also surprised Parliament by pledging a real terms increase to police funding despite speculation that cuts were imminent.

“Newham residents have not found life easy under this chancellor since 2010,” the MP for East Ham said.

“He said in 2010 he would have eradicated the deficit by now – today he told us he will only get there by 2019.

“Heavy cuts to the council and other key public services are set to continue for years more.”

Mr Osborne had been under pressure to mitigate the effect of his planned £4.4 billion cuts to tax credits but chose instead abandon the measure entirely.

“I do welcome the chancellor’s U-turn on tax credits cuts, which would have hit working families very hard,” Mr Timms said.

Mr Timms was also pleased with the Treasury’s decision to continue funding regeneration projects across the country – and in Newham.

“I also welcome confirmation of the new cultural quarter and university in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park,” he said.

But on one of the borough’s central issues, housing, Mr Timms was left gravely disappointed by Mr Osborne.

“The chancellor displayed more skill for talk today than for action,” he said.

“More affordable housing is desperately needed in Newham. The chancellor has made many grand announcements on housing.

“It is time for him finally to act. It is already clear that his London Help to Buy scheme on its own will simply not be enough.”