Solihull MP backs 'Tough But Fair' budget

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Jun 2010

Speaking on the emergency budget announcement, Solihull MP Lorely Burt echoed the opinion of Chancellor George Osborne when she described the budget as 'tough, but fair.'

The Liberal Democrat manifesto set out plans for fairer taxes, a fairer start for children and a fairer deal for pensioners. The measures outlined in the budget to help low and middle income earners, implement above inflation rise in child tax credit payments and restore the pensions earning link, demonstrate that the policies that the people of Solihull voted for are being put into action.

Speaking after the budget statement in the Commons, Lorely Burt said 'There is something positive for most people in this budget. The raising of the income tax threshold by £1,000 will take 880,000 people out of tax altogether and 23 million lower and middle income taxpayers will gain around £176 per year.

'Furthermore, the changes to the child tax credit system will allow the money to be targeted at those who really need it, and thanks to the new 'triple-lock' system, pensioners will never suffer the indignity of only being given a 75p increase in their pensions. I think, as Liberal Democrats we can be proud of the influence we've had on this budget'

Businesses in Solihull will also welcome the announcements made today, as the coalition government moved to boost job creation and provide stability through national insurance exemptions for the first ten employees and a roadmap to create a competitive corporate tax system. Lorely Burt, former party spokesperson for small business, hailed the measures. 'The economic recovery will depend on the private sector creating the wealth to bring more jobs. We have to demonstrate that Britain is 'open for business' and it is fantastic to see businesses being given the incentive and assistance to flourish' she said.

Whilst she admitted that some policies, such as VAT rises and welfare cuts, may be hard to bear, Lorely was adamant that the steps taken were necessary in order to secure economic recovery. 'Labour left us with a situation where £1 of every £4 of government spending was borrowed money. That is simply unsustainable. The structural deficit the coalition government has been left to deal with meant that some tough decisions were inevitable.'