Dr Brian Iddon MP welcomes Budget that will help local families and pensioners in Bolton South East

Dr Brian Iddon MP today welcomed the Budget unveiled by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown MP, as a Budget for Britain’s families, showing Labour is best for people in Bolton South East.

Dr Iddon said

“Today Chancellor Gordon Brown delivered a Budget for British families. Child Benefit will rise over the next three years to £20 a week.  In 1997 Child Benefit was just £575 a year.  Now, under plans announced today by Gordon Brown, Child Benefit will be over £1,000 a year by 2010.

“Gordon Brown also announced that spending on public services is to set to increase with spending on education rising to its highest ever level. This will be good news for schools here in Bolton South East and confirms that education remains Labour’s number one priority.

“On top of this Gordon Brown was able to announce he was cutting of the basic rate of income tax from 22 pence to 20 pence from April 2008.

Dr Iddon continued,

“The contribution of those who have built our country and raised families in the past was also recognised in today’s Budget. Increases in pensioners’ tax allowance will take 600,000 pensioners out of paying income tax altogether, as we move forward to restore the earnings link for the basic state pension.

“The adult rate of the National Minimum Wage will be raised to £5.52 per hour and an increase in the Working Tax Credit, along with a new initiative with the major retailers will help more people find jobs and employment in the future. And there was good news for hardworking families as well with more help with the costs of bringing up children.

“By simplifying the tax system, increasing support to families and pensioners and making work pay, the Budget shows why Labour in Bolton South East is best for long term prosperity and fairness to families.

“How different from the past when Britain was tipped into recession with families and businesses in Bolton South East left to pay the price. Under the Tories inflation was nearly 10 per cent, mortgage rates soared to 15 per cent, 1.5 million people suffered negative equity and unemployment hit three million.

“And today, neither the Tories or the Liberal Democrats can offer the policies for the future.

“The Tories would fail to equip Britain for the global economy. They are committed to scrapping the New Deal which would return Britain to unemployment, cutting the child tax credit that gives more support to families, and their billions of pounds of spending cuts would slash investment in our schools and other vital public services.

“As for the Liberal Democrats, until they can explain where the money is coming from to pay for their endless list of tax and spending commitments no one can take any pledge they make seriously.”

“Only Labour is making the right decisions to ensure Britain and Bolton South East are equipped to face the challenges and take the opportunities of the future.”