Brown promises prudent Budget
Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown has said that the next Budget will be based on economic prudence – not pre-election sweeteners.
Pledging stiff fiscal discipline and monetary vigilance, he effectively ruled out any tax sweetener for disgruntled middle class floating voters who have seen council and inheritance tax and stamp duty soar in recent years.
He closed the Scottish Labour party spring conference in Dundee yesterday saying the Government would not sacrifice Britain’s long term economic stability for short term political gain.
“The Budget will lock in our commitment to monetary vigilance and fiscal discipline,” he said.
“We will meet our fiscal rules in a prudent and long-term way, and we will take no risks with stability now, in the next parliament or at any time.”
Fresh from his trip to China Mr Brown said industry faced challenges from all quarters going forward and as such had to constantly revolutionise itself to stay ahead of competitors.
“In the new economy that Britain must fashion, there will be no place for the old complacencies or inflexibilities, no room for resistance to change, outmoded ways of working or the old restrictive practices from whatever quarter they come,” he said.
“We must be prepared to make any necessary change, implement any necessary new laws, introduce any necessary new incentives, and take on any vested interest to make our country the most adaptable, flexible, skilled, enterprising and innovative in the global economy.”
Underscoring Labour’s success in cutting unemployment since 1997, he said the idea of having every man and women in work was no mere pipe dream.
“There are two million more men and women in work in Britain today,” he told delegates.
“We should take pride that as a result of our efforts there are more men and women in work in Scotland today than ever in our history.
“Our election manifesto for the third term will ensure we move further and faster towards our goal of full employment.”
Turning to the plight of Africans, the Chancellor called for a “new crusade” to fight global poverty and disease.
“It is because we are all brothers and sisters that I ask you to persuade thousands of people to gather with the churches, the faith groups, the trade unions and the NGOs in Edinburgh, just before the world leaders meet in Gleneagles, to ensure that the people’s voice is heard,” said Mr Brown.
“Tell them of the suffering we can no longer allow to happen.”
Britain assumes the presidencies of the G8 of leading industrial nations and the European Union in 2005.
