Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, has welcomed the Chancellor’s Budget today, calling it a “Budget of fairness and sense”.

During the Budget statement the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, announced measures to secure Britain’s recovery from recession and also to help those most in need at this time.

Andrew Miller said:

“Today’s Budget is just what we need at the current time when the economy is in recovery but still vulnerable.  The Chancellor has chosen a path that has just the right amount of austerity to boost the economy without the need to stop supporting the most vulnerable in our society.

“The doubling of the stamp duty limit to £250,000 will help first time buyers and the increase in ISA limits will help everyone get a better return from their savings.  For families there will be additional support through an increase of £4 per week in the child element of the Child Tax Credit and pensioners are not forgotten, as the basic state pension will increase by 2.5% in April and the additional Winter Fuel Payment will continue for another year.

“The Budget also sets out plans that will provide targeted support for businesses as the economy recovers and will lay a foundation for sustainable long term growth, opportunity and enterprise. Measures include an increase to the level of small business rate relief; a new small business credit adjudicator with powers to ensure that small businesses are fairly treated when applying for loans and a fund to provide crucial early stage financial support for the commercialisation of promising university innovations.  Locally we will see benefits to businesses both big and small which in turn helps to provide stability.

“This Government stands up for the many and the Budget seeks to ensure that every part of society prospers in the months and years ahead.  The emphasis is on fairness, with every UK citizen contributing what they can afford and, very soon, that will apply even if their financial affairs are hidden in Belize, such as those of Tory Vice Chairman Lord Ashcroft!

Ends
24th March 2010