Queen's Speech "won't help families in Stockport"

8.01.22pm GMT Fri 5th Dec 2008

The Government's plans for new laws will do little to help hard-pressed families in Stockport, claims local Liberal Democrat spokesman Stuart Bodsworth.

"Labour's plans, outlined in the Queen's Speech have been a another big disappointment from a Government well past their sell-by date" said Stuart Bodsworth "they will do very little to help people in Stockport cope with the recession."

"The Government's measures will not be enough to help people with the real problems we are now facing. We need legislation to change the way energy tariffs work to make sure people get the cheapest prices for their essential fuel and power and changes to taxes to put money back in people's pockets.

"With the massive discounts on offer in the shops at the moment, the short term trimming of VAT will make little difference and what we need is income tax cuts targeted at low earners and paid for through closing loopholes. Stockport residents who are worried by the economic situation will find little comfort in the Government's programme for the next term.

"We need action to force the banks to lend money on fair terms to small businesses and families.

"The Government wasted the opportunity to help people in last week's Pre-Budget Report and now with the Queen's Speech they are wasting it again."