Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, has today welcomed the Chancellor’s Pre Budget Report.

Mr Miller said:

“The Chancellor has had to make some tough choices but today’s Pre Budget Report (PRB) will protect vital frontline public services such as hospitals, the police and education, secure the country’s recovery and encourage growth.  Its positive impact will certainly benefit local people.

“The UK is playing a leading role on climate change, setting the agenda for the international negotiations and taking radical domestic action to promote low-carbon growth.  A new £400 million “green growth” package will create new industries and new jobs by including money for infrastructure, offshore wind, carbon capture and storage and electric transport.  This also means more money for the Warm Front scheme and a new Boiler Scrappage scheme where people can trade in energy inefficient boilers and get £400 off the cost of a new green version.

“The 2009 PRB announces further Government action to provide support for households during the early stages of economic recovery, including increasing the basic State Pension by 2.5 per cent, the child element of the Child Tax Credit by £20 above earnings indexation, and other benefits and tax credits normally linked to the Retail Prices Index - which has actually fallen - by 1.5 per cent.  To help families the Government will also extend free school meals to primary school pupils in low income working families in England.

“Our actions will not be painless, but nor will they be reckless. This is a balanced package that is the best economic approach for long term stability and above all, fair.”

Ends
9th December 2009