Labour’s Budget for Families and Pensioners

Date published: 16/03/2005

Lorna Fitzsimons welcomed the Budget unveiled today by Chancellor Gordon Brown as “good news for children, families and pensioners here in Rochdale”.

Lorna Fitzsimons MP was commenting after listening to the Chancellor deliver the Budget which announced that every pensioner household – 65 and over – paying council tax, would receive a council tax refund of £200.

Lorna said, “Gordon Brown’s Budget is a Budget for Britain’s hardworking families. Today’s Budget delivered a major boost for pensioners in Rochdale as Gordon Brown announced that every pensioner household – 65 and over – paying council tax, would receive a council tax refund of £200. Together with the Winter Fuel Payment that means around 12 thousand pensioner households will receive £400 and those aged 80 or over will receive a total of £500 this year.

“There is more good news for pensioners as well. From next year all pensioners in Rochdale will be able to enjoy free local bus travel. And because Labour believes in an NHS free at the point of use, Gordon Brown has announced that no pensioner will ever again lose any of their pension or benefits while in hospital – no matter how long their stay.

“This Budget also provides more support for hard working families in Rochdale, already 7,900 families in Rochdale benefit from Labour’s Child Tax Credit and I’m delighted that Gordon Brown has announced plans to increase it in line with earnings every year for the next three years.

“Following today’s announcement the effective income tax rate for a family with two children earning £25,000 a year will be just 6 per cent and at £30,000 just 10 per cent – a family tax cut that does most to help low and middle income families.

“And Gordon Brown also announced he would double the point at which stamp duty is paid from £60,000 to £120,000 and provided new help for first time home buyers.

“Gordon Brown outlined today how Labour is making the necessary investment in schools, skills, training and enterprise to ensure our continued economic success and to lock in economic stability for a generation.

“Today’s Budget also announced extra cash to rebuild or renovate half of the country’s primary schools. This new money will ensure most schools gain facilities such as parents centres, ICT suites in schools and other extended services.

“Hard working families in Rochdale will never forget the Tory years when interest rates soared to 15 per cent and there were three million unemployed. The Tories are committed to cutting £35 billion from public services - that would translate to deep and damaging cuts to schools, health services and the fight against crime here in Rochdale.

 “This Budget shows we are delivering on the promises I made to people here in Rochdale. More jobs and improved skills, better schools and hospitals, more help for families and more help for pensioners – that’s what local people voted for, and that’s what we are delivering.”