South Thanet MP, Steve Ladyman, today described the budget as ‘a recipe for a bright future for East Kent’. Speaking from Westminster after the Chancellors statement, Steve said:

"This is a budget that will create jobs in Thanet and Dover, and all across Kent, help people on low incomes and give a big helping hand to older people facing rising fuel bills. It is a recipe for a bright future for East Kent and for its hard working families."

"The UK is alone among the developed nations in having avoided the world wide recessions of recent years. Three times in the last ten years the Tories have claimed we would go into an economic downturn and three times they’ve been wrong. Its now clear from today’s Treasury forecasts that their latest predictions of gloom and doom were wrong too and our economy will continue to grow this year and next despite the global credit crunch. That has been made possible because this Government has built a strong and stable economy that has stood up to what the world has thrown against it, and this budget means we can stand up to what the future throws at us too."

The 2008 Budget set out key measures to help lift 250,000 children out of poverty, and an extra boost of £50 to over 60’s households and £100 for over 80’s households on top of the Winter Fuel Payment.

Steve Ladyman said: "Today’s Budget is great news for pensioners, families and children."

"Over 9 million households nationwide and 20,900 households in my South Thanet constituency alone will get extra cash to pay their heating bills this year. And 9815 families will gain from the increases in Child Benefit."

"I also welcome the Budget focus on tackling two of the big issues of today - child poverty and climate change. We are the first Government to commit to eradicating Child Poverty and to give itself a legal duty to cut Carbon."

"Green campaigners wanted petrol prices to increase but I think the Chancellor was right in postponing the rise in fuel duty until at least October as hikes in the world wide cost of oil have already pushed the price up recently. He has to get the balance right between the needs of the economy and the environment and I think his decision will be welcomed by most people."

"Overall this was a steady as she goes budget with good news for people who need help most and some tough decisions to make sure we continue to grow, create jobs and tackle poverty and climate change."