"Budget will help pensioners, low paid, and businesses in Northamptonshire"

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd Jun 2010

Councillor Brendan Glynane

Commenting on the budget, Brendan Glynane, Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader on Northamptonshire County Council said: "The budget clearly reflects many of the tax priorities which won the Liberal Democrats almost seven million votes at the General Election."

"It will help pensioners in Northamptonshire with the restoration of the earnings link to pension increase, so that pensioners will receive the same increase as the average worker, or the same increase in the rise of prices, or 2.50% increase, whichever is the greater."

"Low and middle income earners as well as pensioners will also benefit by the increase in the personal allowance so that the first £7,475 received as earnings or pension is tax free, removing many from tax and saving £170 per year to the average tax payer."

"Local businesses will also be helped by the reduction in Corporation tax, and everyone will benefit by having their council tax frozen."

"The budget required compromise, but it is a fair budget, the spending reductions reflecting Liberal Democrat priorities to protect the needy and vulnerable. The people of Northamptonshire will benefit both in the long and short term"