BOLTON South East Labour MP Brian Iddon welcomed the budget saying: "We are continuing to deliver our promises. I am very pleased about the extra money for education and health and let's not forget the extra money for housing.

"The confirmation of the release of capital receipts from council house sales is very good news and I am sure Bolton will benefit.

"I am very pleased about the help for small companies. Complaints that they had been persecuted under the previous government was something that came up a lot on the doorstep. It's a good start."

Worsley MP Terry Lewis said:"At first sight it's a good Budget. The tax avoidance crackdown is long overdue. I am concerned about the welfare to work proposals and I shall be keeping a close eye on those."

Bury North MP David Chaytor said:"This was an astonishing Budget which will change British society for the better as dramatically as the Howe and Lawson Budgets changed it for the worse.

"I particularly welcome the new emphasis on investment in industry and small businesses and the fulfillment of our pledges to education at the top of the agenda. There is a long way to go in repairing all the damage of the last 18 years, but this Budget makes an important start."

Fylde MP and former Treasury MInister Michael Jack predicted that the measures on the windfall tax and pension fund tax credits were bad news for the elderly.

Ribble Valley's Nigel Evans launched a bitter attack on yesterday's "slow fuse" Budget, which he predicted would explode in the faces of local people.

He said the Windfall Tax would cause fuel and water charges to rise, hitting local people - especially pensioners and families.

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