NOTHING MUCH IN BUDGET FOR STOCKPORT RESIDENTS - STUNELL

2.32.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 23rd Apr 2009

The Budget will do nothing for ordinary Stockport residents who have been clobbered by rising food, fuel and transport prices, according to Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell.

Mr Stunell criticised Labour's Budget for failing to give much needed help to those struggling in recession by refusing to back Liberal Democrat calls to cut income tax by £700 for the vast majority of people.

Commenting Andrew Stunell said:

"As the cost of food, heating, water and transport continue to rise, families in Stockport haven't been given any practical help by the government.

"People who aren't on huge salaries are noticing more and more of their cash is going on the basics. Gordon Brown should be putting money back into their pockets by cutting income tax for the vast majority of taxpayers by £700.

"Britain's taxes are too heavy on those who can least afford it and too easy to avoid for those who know how."

Mr Stunell was also critical of the government's housing plans, which will see only enough investment for two new council homes in each local authority area:

"This shows a pitiful lack of ambition form a complacent government, and will do nothing to help reduce council housing waiting lists, which in Stockport have swelled to over 9,000 people," continued Mr Stunell.

"Today was an opportunity for a real reform of the red tape that prevents councils building social housing for struggling families, yet that opportunity has gone begging.

"With this Budget, the government have condemned us to years of unemployment, more families without homes and a decade of debt. The people of Stockport deserve better."

ENDS.

For more on the Liberal Democrat Economic Recovery Plan go to www.LibDems.org.uk/recoveryplan