Vince Cable: predicted the recession

Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor who has been recognised for his prediction of the recession, has warned that Labour’s pre-election Budget fails the people of Britain.

“Britain needed a Budget that gave us honesty in spending and fairness in tax. Alistair Darling has given us neither,” Vince said.

“Labour is in denial, while the Conservatives are talking tough to cover up the fact that they only offer more of the same.

“Today’s budget wasn’t honest.

“The Chancellor is incapable of coming clean about where spending cuts will have to fall. Rather than being honest with people about what the Government can and cannot afford, the Chancellor would rather let others indiscriminately shave departmental budgets.

“And the Budget did nothing to make Britain a fairer society.

“We’re campaigning for fair taxes, lifting millions of people out of income tax altogether. But today’s Budget, by confirming the freeze in personal allowances, means everyone will see a real increase in their income tax bill.

“Rather than forcing the nationalised banks to lend to good British businesses, Labour have chosen to create a feeble quango to arbitrate between bullying banks and their small business clients.

“Today’s Budget shows even more clearly that Britain needs real change.”

To watch Vince’s response to the Budget, click here.

A series of six pre-budget consultation meetings will take place ahead of Bolton Council’s budget being set.

However the council told us that the meetings “are not area forums and other issues will not be considered for discussion at these meetings.”

The meetings will take place as follows:

Tuesday 12^th, 7pm  Astley Bridge/ Bromley Cross/Bradshaw  - Turton High School Arts Theatre

Wednesday 13^th 7pm  Tonge with the Haulgh/ Breightmet/Little Lever and Darcy Lever – Leverhulme Primary School

Thursday 14^th 7pm  Westhoughton with Chew Moor / Hulton/ Heaton & Lostock - Tempest Road FC,  Main Hall

Monday 25^th 1pm  Harper Green/ Farnworth/ Kearsley –  Farnworth Town Hall

Tuesday 26^th 7pm  Two Towns/ Smithills   St. Catherine’s Primary School

Wednesday 27^th 2pm  Halliwell/Crompton/Great Lever /Rumworth – Festival Hall, Bolton  Town Hall

The police post in Westhoughton

Councillor Jackie Pearcey, Liberal Democrat PPC for Bolton West, has hit out at reports that up to 300 jobs will be lost at Greater Manchester Police to balance the books.

Jackie said: “Last year, on the City Council, I raised the question as to whether or not there was a hole in the GMP budget and was assured by the Chair of the Police Authority that there was no funding gap.  Now it seems that they are £5 million overspent.

“The police are thinly stretched as it is.  Freezing recruitment will result in less police on the streets and will harm the fight against crime.”

You can also read this article on the Westhoughton Liberal Democrat website here.