Pensioners lose out in Budget

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 27th Mar 2006

Local MP Tim Farron has written to Gordon Brown following the reading of his 10th Budget. Many areas went unaddressed in the Budget ranging from the NHS, to farmers who have yet to receive their Single Farm Payments and as a consequence are in debt.

It was also the case that the £200 the Chancellor offered to pensioners in his Budget in 2005 - just prior to the General Election - was not repeated this year. This comes at the same time that Council Tax in South Lakeland is set to rise by 4.9% because of the pressures and stresses this Government has put on the Council.

Tim commented: "I note with interest that the Chancellor felt that pensioners needed £200 in the run up to the General Election last summer and not this year. With Council Tax set to rise and people having to pay for private dentists because of the lack of NHS provision, pensioners in this area would benefit greatly if this money were to be offered again. I have asked the Chancellor to reconsider his decision".