Hull MP welcomes a Budget for stability and opportunity

Hull North Labour MP Diana Johnson has welcomed the Chancellor's Budget as good for economic stability, opportunity and security for all.

The 2008 Budget Statement, made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Commons today (12 March), set out measures to help lift 250,000 children out of poverty; and an extra boost to the Winter Fuel Payment of £50 to over-60s households and £100 for over-80s households.

Diana Johnson MP said: "Today's Budget is good for pensioners, hard-working families and children in Hull.

"More than nine million households nationwide and over 45,000 pensioners in Hull will get extra cash to pay their heating bills this year - boosting the fight against fuel poverty.

"More than 34,000 families in Hull will gain from the increases in Child Benefit.

"I applaud the Budget's focus on tackling two of the big challenges of today - child poverty and climate change.

"The confirmation of the 2p cut in the standard rate of income tax from April also shows the Labour Government's commitment to fairer, simpler taxes that encourage hard work, opportunity and enterprise.

"Under Labour, ten years of economic stability, low inflation and growth have laid the foundation for Hull's regeneration. We must not put that at risk."