The Front Page. - Copy 78 ( Gwyn Prosser and The Budget )
24 March 2010
Just had the following statement in from local MP Gwyn Prosser about Wednesdays much talked about Budget....
ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND SUPPORT FOR HARDWORKING FAMILIES
Dover & Deal MP, Gwyn Prosser says that today’s Budget was all about locking in the recovery – not putting it at risk and it contains the right sort of measures to support hard working families and pensioners while giving a boost to small businesses’ and creating new jobs.
Gwyn said:
“Labour’s commitment to halve the deficit and protect frontline services is the safest way to secure the economic recovery and avoid choking it off with deep cuts and layoffs – which is what the Tories and the Lib Dems would do.
“Our reaction to the global downturn was the right one and it’s led to a return to economic growth, falling unemployment figures and a rising stock market. The Tories were wrong to oppose our recovery plans and they are wrong to oppose the sensible and practical measures contained in our Budget”
We all know dear ol Alastair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, is not the most rivetting speaker of all time but half way through his BUDGET speech today his colleagues were beginning to look more than a little weary, as you can see in the picture on the left. Not so an observing Doverforum dotcom, we never sleep and are always as perky as spring lambs!
With just literally weeks to go before the election, people were dismissing this Budget, saying it would be mere window dressing with one eye on the polls, and yes of course there were indeed some very positive things in there, but these were a lot more than mere window dressing and all in order to continue to stimulate the economy, not least the abolition of stamp duty on all house sales under £250,000. A move readily welcomed by all, especially estate agents and the housing market in general, which has experienced a spectacular slump. There were many other positive economic measures too which were designed to go down well in the city, but also some real stings as well.
The one measure of course that immediately impacts the man in the street, and the token by which all budgets are judged...How much went on beer and fags!!? There was a swingeing hike on Cider and Alcopops with a massive 10% tax rise on both, with a further percentage rise to be added on top of that to High Strength Cider. So Cider gets quite a thumping. Better cancel that running order for White Lightning!!
Wine and all alcohol in general see an increase of 2% with further 2% rises in the years to come, and all tobacco goes up 1% from today and 2% every year until 2014. Time to consider abandoning the demon weed too. This wont do much for the local problem of cigarette smuggling either.
But Alastair to give him his due, had one marvellous moment. He got the best cheer for many a day in the House..when he announced that the Government had reached a co-operation deal with three more tax havens, and in particular...Belize!! This will allow HMG to clampdown on tax avoiders like Lord ASHCROFT, who is not registered to pay tax in this country despite promising to do so when given his peerage. Lord Ashcroft is Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party and a considerable donor investing heavily in marginal seats...like perhaps maybe even Dover, in order to sway public opinion in the Conservatives favour.
For a heavier analysis of the Budget we recommend you visit www.bbc.co.uk.
PaulB
Just had the following statement in from local MP Gwyn Prosser about Wednesdays much talked about Budget....
ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND SUPPORT FOR HARDWORKING FAMILIES
Dover & Deal MP, Gwyn Prosser says that today’s Budget was all about locking in the recovery – not putting it at risk and it contains the right sort of measures to support hard working families and pensioners while giving a boost to small businesses’ and creating new jobs.
Gwyn said:
“Labour’s commitment to halve the deficit and protect frontline services is the safest way to secure the economic recovery and avoid choking it off with deep cuts and layoffs
“Our reaction to the global downturn was the right one and it’s led to a return to economic growth, falling unemployment figures and a rising stock market. The Tories were wrong to oppose our recovery plans and they are wrong to oppose the sensible and practical measures contained in our Budget”
* *
Whats this? has the entire frontbench dropped off!?
We all know dear ol Alastair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, is not the most rivetting speaker of all time but half way through his BUDGET speech today his colleagues were beginning to look more than a little weary, as you can see in the picture on the left. Not so an observing Doverforum dotcom, we never sleep and are always as perky as spring lambs!
With just literally weeks to go before the election, people were dismissing this Budget, saying it would be mere window dressing with one eye on the polls, and yes of course there were indeed some very positive things in there, but these were a lot more than mere window dressing and all in order to continue to stimulate the economy, not least the abolition of stamp duty on all house sales under £250,000. A move readily welcomed by all, especially estate agents and the housing market in general, which has experienced a spectacular slump. There were many other positive economic measures too which were designed to go down well in the city, but also some real stings as well.
The one measure of course that immediately impacts the man in the street, and the token by which all budgets are judged...How much went on beer and fags!!? There was a swingeing hike on Cider and Alcopops with a massive 10% tax rise on both, with a further percentage rise to be added on top of that to High Strength Cider. So Cider gets quite a thumping. Better cancel that running order for White Lightning!!
Wine and all alcohol in general see an increase of 2% with further 2% rises in the years to come, and all tobacco goes up 1% from today and 2% every year until 2014. Time to consider abandoning the demon weed too. This wont do much for the local problem of cigarette smuggling either.
But Alastair to give him his due, had one marvellous moment. He got the best cheer for many a day in the House..when he announced that the Government had reached a co-operation deal with three more tax havens, and in particular...Belize!! This will allow HMG to clampdown on tax avoiders like Lord ASHCROFT, who is not registered to pay tax in this country despite promising to do so when given his peerage. Lord Ashcroft is Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party and a considerable donor investing heavily in marginal seats...like perhaps maybe even Dover, in order to sway public opinion in the Conservatives favour.
For a heavier analysis of the Budget we recommend you visit www.bbc.co.uk.
PaulB