The Budget, 2000

"PENSIONERS AND SCHOOLS LOSE OUT TO TAX CUTS"

This was Gordon Brown’s last chance to put serious money into the police, pensions, the NHS and schools before next year’s General Election, but he has flunked it.

While at last responding to Liberal Democrat pressure to put serious extra money into the NHS, the Chancellor has failed to deliver on schools, the police and for pensioners.

The Government’s priority was supposed to be "education, education, education", but this year just £1 billion extra will go to schools, versus £2.6bn to cut the basic rate of tax. Clearly, tax cuts are more important than education to this Government.

Pensioners have come out worst with a measly 75p per week increase in the pension, while the heating allowance does little to help. Over 80s still get just a 25p ‘age allowance’, compared to our proposal of £7.

This budget is also unlikely to reverse the decline in police numbers before the General Election. In other words, the Government is likely to break its election promise to increase the number of police officers on the beat.

Of course, the extra money, particularly for the NHS, is welcome. But this package does too little for police, schools and pensions - putting tax cuts first instead.

Read my news releases containing my comments about the impact of this Budget on:
Education
Police
Green issues

You can also read the alternative budget put forward by the Liberal Democrats. As Liberal Democrat Economic Affairs Spokesperson I have been busy putting this together.

Gordon Browns' Budget 2000
Informer article

Impact on Education

Effect on the Police

Green issues

Alternative LibDem budget

My work in Parliament

Current campaigns