Nothing much in Budget for residents in Esher and Walton

7.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Apr 2009

The Budget will do nothing for ordinary residents of the Esher and Walton constituency, who have been blighted by rising food, fuel and transport prices, local Liberal Democrats have said. The Budget was criticised for failing to give much needed help to those struggling in recession by refusing to back Liberal Democrat calls to cut income tax by £700 for the vast majority of people.

Commenting David Loader, Chairman Esher and Walton Liberal Democrats said:

"As the cost of food, heating, water and transport continue to rise, families across Elmbridge haven't been given any practical help by the Government.

"People who aren't on huge salaries are noticing more and more of their cash is going on the basics. Gordon Brown should be putting money back into their pockets by cutting income tax for the vast majority of taxpayers by £700.

" Britain 's taxes are too heavy on those who can least afford it and too easy to avoid for those who know how.

"Labour is out of ideas and out of steam. This Government has condemned us to years of unemployment and a decade of debt. All the Conservatives can suggest is deep cuts in spending just when that spending is needed most to help struggling families and businesses as well as for the economy to recover.

"The country deserves something different. It needs a Liberal Democrat government with Vince Cable as Chancellor and a tax system that has everybody paying their fair share."

ENDS