Budget does nothing for Streatham residents - Chris Nicholson

4.40.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 23rd Apr 2009

The Budget will do nothing for ordinary residents of Streatham who have been clobbered by rising food, fuel and transport prices, local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson Chris Nicholson said after the Budget.

"The Budget has done nothing to help those struggling in recession" commented Chris. "Labour has done little to tackle tax avoidance and have clearly abandoned their plans to halve child poverty by 2010. They are giving a derisory 38p per week for children below the poverty line."

The Liberal Democrats set out plans before the Budget to cut income tax by £700 per year for the vast majority of people. They would do this by raising the personal allowance to £10,000 and removing 4 million people from tax altogether - paid for by removing tax loopholes and exemptions for the very wealthy.

Chris added "As the cost of food, heating, water and transport continue to rise, families in Streatham haven't been given any practical help by the Government. Britain's taxes are too heavy on those who can least afford it and too easy to avoid for those who know how. "

For more on the Liberal Democrat Economic Recovery Plan go to www.LibDems.org.uk/recoveryplan