18 March 2005
Labour’s Ryedale man welcomes Budget for families and pensioners
Paul Blanchard, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Ryedale, welcomed the Budget unveiled today by Chancellor Gordon Brown as “good news for children, families and pensioners here in Ryedale.”
Paul 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.
Paul said:
“Gordon Brown’s Budget is a Budget for Britain’s hardworking families.
“Today’s Budget delivered a major boost for pensioners in Ryedale. Gordon Brown today 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 many pensioners 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 Ryedale 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 Ryedale. Already families in Ryedale 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 pounds a year will be just 6 per cent and at 30,000 pounds 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.
“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 Ryedale 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.
