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Budget 2009: Kent reactions

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Thanet’s Labour MP insists the government’s 2009 Budget will help “build Britain’s future”.

Stephen Ladyman, the MP for South Thanet, said he was especially pleased to see a £2 billion investment to help the young unemployed.

Anyone under the age of 25 and out of work for longer than a year will be offered a work placement or placed on a training programme, the chancellor Alistair Darling announced today.

Dr Ladyman welcomed the introduction of a new top tax rate of 50 per cent for those earning over £150,000 a year.

He also praised a £525 million investment in wind farm projects, such as the London Array and Thanet Offshore Wind Farm schemes - both of which are set to provide a major boost to the Thanet economy.

He said: “If you’ve lost your job or if you’re struggling on a lower income, the fact that the economy will recover soon will be little comfort.


For an in-depth update on the main Budget points click here>>>


“That’s why I welcome this Budget because it provides real help for real families in Thanet, right now.

“Extra support for the unemployed and new money for those threatened with losing their homes after a drop in income will help thousands of people and sends a clear message - this Government will not abandon you when things get tough.”

“It is very much a Budget for building Britain’s future,” he added.

Julian Brazier, MP for Canterbury and Whitstable, described the budget as "deeply disappointing".

He added: "We are at a crisis point.

"No government ever in the history of this country, not even the last Labour government that ended up going to the IMF, has ever let public borrowing run out of control in the way that this government has."

He said there had been no serious attempt to get spending under control.

Ashford MP Damian Green described the budget figures as "shocking".

He added: "The depth of the recession is going to be appalling this year - a 3.6 per cent fall in national output.

"The government says it's going to borrow more in the next two years than every other government has borrowed up to now altogether.

"It shows the huge depth of the recession we are now facing."

But the beer tax increases were met with a luke warm reaction from CAMRA, the real ale campaigners.


Audio: Andrew Aves, of the Federation of Small Businesses in Kent and Medway, spoke to Jo Sword>>>


Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said: "It is disappointing that the Chancellor has ignored widespread public concern about the plight of Britain’s pubs and decided to press ahead with an increase which will result in yet more valued community pubs closing down. Well-run community pubs are already struggling as a result of last year’s 18 per cent increase in beer duty and the recession. This further beer duty increase will push more valued pubs over the edge resulting in job losses, reduced Government tax revenue and many more deprived of their favourite local pub.”


Video: Watch Nick Poskitt speaking to locals at the Black Lion, Gillingham about the latest tax hikes - at the top of this page


“Well-run pubs provide an enjoyable and affordable night out in a safe and supervised environment and this duty increase will simply fuel irresponsible drinking of cheap discount alcohol in people’s homes, public parks and on the streets.”

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