In Parliament

Budget Statement 21 March 2007

A budget for all

Jessica Morden MP for Newport East today welcomed today's Budget Statement as a very good budget for the people of Newport East.

"The budget contains very good news for families in Newport East with Child Benefit rising over the next three years to £20 a week. In 1997 Child Benefit was just £575 a year. Now, under plans announced today by Gordon Brown, Child Benefit will be over £1,000 a year by 2010.

"Jessica Morden also welcomed Gordon Browns announcement of an increase in the child element of the Child Tax Credit by £150 per year benefiting 3200 families and 6400 children in Newport East

"On top of this Gordon Brown was able to announce he was cutting of the basic rate of income tax from 22 pence to 20 pence from April 2008.

"Pensioners will also benefit from the budget with an increase in pensioners' tax allowance which takes 30,000 pensioners in Wales out of paying income tax altogether, as we move forward to restore the earnings link for the basic state pension.

"The adult rate of the National Minimum Wage will be raised to £5.52 per hour and an increase in the Working Tax Credit, along with a new initiative with the major retailers will help more people find jobs and employment in the future.

"With an extra £1,001 million for the Welsh Assembly Government today the Government showed that only Labour is making the right decisions to ensure a secure future for Newport East and to equip Wales to face the challenges and take the opportunities of tomorrow."