March 2008
I always try to be present for the Budget and this year Labour MPs made a special effort to attend to support the new Chancellor Alistair Darling.
All MPs will reflect on how the announcements will affect their constituents. For me, the growing awareness locally of environmental and climate change issues meant this first overtly green budget was most welcome. Coupled with our local 'Clean Air Charter' which is about to be launched, I can see that there will be a positive momentum towards a better quality of life.
The Chancellor outlined proposals to reward drivers of the cleanest cars and funding for the Green Homes Service (to reduce carbon omissions, waste and water consumption). His announcement to postpone the increase in fuel duty until 1st October will be a relief to local haulage companies.
The Welsh Assembly Government has in particular recognised that it will be assisted with its new green integrated transport system with a £28 million boost along with significant extra funding for Wales' rail network.
The announcements regarding child poverty in Wales were also important with increases in Child Benefit providing extra support for 360,000 Welsh families.
And the good news for pensioners in Wales means that 480,000 households will benefit from the additional one-off payment of £100 to the winter fuel allowance for the over 80s and £50 for the over 60s.
I was also pleased that the Government will work with energy companies to help vulnerable groups deal with rising energy prices.
As ever, the national press headlines concentrate on taxes on alcohol, tobacco and fuel. Important as these are to many people, we should not lose sight of the key objectives of maintaining a sound economy at a time of international instability as well as striving for fairness especially for hard working families and pensioners.
With that in mind, I welcome the least publicised announcements such as the 'Saving Gateway' which is a cash saving scheme for those on lower incomes.
On the whole it was a 'careful' Budget which aimed, in the words of the Chancellor, to achieve 'stability and opportunity: building a strong, sustainable future'.
