Budget is good for Bermondsey

The Chancellor’s Budget is good for Bermondsey’s children and young people, good for Bermondsey families and lone parents, and good for Bermondsey’s pensioners, said Kingsley Abrams, Labour’s parliamentary spokesperson for N Southwark & Bermondsey, after Gordon Brown’s speech on Wednesday 7^th March.

"Gordon Brown’s emphasis is on children, families, and pensioners, with huge spending increases on education and health. I particularly approve the allocations of between £13,000 and £115,000 to be sent directly to head teachers of every single primary and secondary school in Bermondsey."

Kingsley hammered out the other outstanding points in the Chancellor’s budget for the N Southwark & Bermondsey constituency area:

• an extra £500,000 - £1 million direct to Guy’s Hospital Trust starting this year and ongoing for the next 3 years.
• Keeping all winter fuel allowances, the Christmas Bonus and free TV licences for pensioners, whilst bringing in a Pensioners Credit to allow higher tax-free income.
• For Bermondsey’s working mums, Maternity Leave increased from 18 weeks to 26 weeks, whilst maternity pay goes up from the current £60 per week to £100 per week over 2 years.
• Children’s Tax credit up to £10 per week worth £520 per year, with a new Baby’s Tax Credit worth £20 per week for the first year of every child’s life.
• Two weeks’ paid leave for Bermondsey’s working dads too - at £100 per week.
• A direct slice for Southwark’s police commander of the total £200 million extra targeted for police and anti-drugs leaders to fight drug abuse in the community through the local Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships.
• increasing the 10% income tax band for Bermondsey’s low income earners to the first £1880 of income above their tax-free allowances – yielding an extra £300 cash in their pockets.

In addition motorists will be 2 pence a litre of fuel better off from today (3p on diesel), and pay £55 less for their yearly road tax discs for cars with engines up to 1500cc, like Ford Escorts.

Kingsley said: "This package is the responsible and well targeted financial policy we have consistently seen from Gordon Brown. It is putting Bermondsey families, children and pensioners, and their health and education first. This is what Bermondsey needs. It is great news for Bermondsey’s poor, disadvantaged, vulnerable and needy."

Press Release: Budget Day Wed 7^th March 2001

Press: John Hellings tel 7237 2287
Campaign: Piers Corbyn tel 7701 569;m 07710 432320

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