Good news for Gala bingo customers, but not for the jobless

3.25.02pm GMT Wed 9th Dec 2009

Commenting on today's Pre-Budget Report by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mike Bell the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Weston-super-Mare said:

"There is not much in this budget for Weston - unless you visit Gala bingo every week. We needed action to cut taxes for the lowest paid - instead we've got National Insurance hikes which will see those on low and middle incomes pay more.

"We needed a targeted cut in VAT to give our tourism industry a boost - instead we've got VAT going back up on everything. We needed real action to create jobs - but the only jobs the Chancellor is interested in protecting are those of Labour MPs.

"We needed honesty on the financial crisis and hard choices on spending and cuts. Instead we've got fanciful growth forecasts and more party interest before national interest.

"Weston, like Britain, needs a strong vision for the future, and politicians prepared to deliver upon it. From this Chancellor and this Government, we've got neither."