Chancellor's freeze on fuel duty welcomed in East Lancashire

3:49pm Wednesday 5th December 2012 in News

Chancellor announces benefits squeeze in Autumn Statement Chancellor announces benefits squeeze in Autumn Statement

CHANCELLOR George Osborne’s Autumn Statement yesterday brought some festive cheer to East Lancashire drivers as he announced the scrapping of a planned 3p rise in fuel duty.
But councils across the region will once again be feeling the pinch after the announcement of a two per cent cut to local government budgets.
There will also be an extra £2.70 a week for people earning a basic state pension, although campaigners say the 2.5 per cent increase is not enough.
Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Coun Kate Hollern said the figures were ‘misleading’.
She said: “After already facing 25 per cent cuts this year and 20 per cent cuts next year, by 2014 we will have had a 47 per cent cut to council budgets.
“They are still giving a huge amount of money to banks while the number of elderly people and unemployed people goes up.
“It is worrying times for the North West. The statement makes very depressing reading.”
Burnley Council leader Julie Cooper said: “Two per cent does sound quite small but over two years the cuts have taken 44 per cent of our budget.
“I am not going to sleep any easier, the situation is still pretty grave.
“But we will battle on. We are determined to fight for Burnley and we will continute to look for new and better ways of doing things.”
The rise in state pensions did not go far enough, according to campaigners.
Dot Gibson, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention, said: “This is just £2.70 a week extra and only £1.60 a week more for millions of older women who do not get a full pension.
“Even with this increase, one in five older people continue to live in poverty, three million pensioner households are in fuel poverty and millions more are struggling just to make ends meet.”
But the end to fears of a further rise in fuel prices was welcomed.
Road Haulage Association chief executive Geoff Dunning said: “The announcement that he intends to cancel the fuel duty rise that was planned for January comes as a welcome surprise.
“However, the fact remains that for many hauliers, this latest move will only be seen as a delaying tactic.”
Plans to increase the Annual Investment Allowance in plants and machinery for businesses were welcomed by East Lancashire MPs.
During his speech, Mr Osborne referred to Burnley and Pendle, after being lobbied by MPs Gordon Birtwistle and Andrew Stephenson.
The Chancellor said: “I want to thank my honourable friends for Burnley and Pendle for their thoughts in this area. Starting on January 1 and for the next two years, I am therefore going to increase by tenfold the Annual Investment Allowance in plant and machinery.
“Instead of £25,000 worth of investment being eligible for 100 per cent relief, £250,000 worth of investment will now qualify.”
Responding, Mr Stephenson, MP for Pendle, said: “I am delighted that the Chancellor has listened to manufacturers across Burnley and Pendle and the representation I made to him.”

Comments (13)

4:12pm Wed 5 Dec 12

chris283 says...

making progress dont talk out of your **** no jobs about you have made the jobcenter system harder to understand try appying for a job online on the jobcenter site what a total farce i will not be voting for any of you useless morons again infabt wish i could win the lottery i would be out of this country quicker then you can say all mps are useless
making progress dont talk out of your **** no jobs about you have made the jobcenter system harder to understand try appying for a job online on the jobcenter site what a total farce i will not be voting for any of you useless morons again infabt wish i could win the lottery i would be out of this country quicker then you can say all mps are useless chris283

5:42pm Wed 5 Dec 12

mavrick says...

The truth is worse than the chancellor revealed, In his figures he included the potential money that could be realised from the sale of the 4G network, It is true things are worse and this proves it. If you look around the world and see all the countries that are in serious debt, then you have to wonder if it would not be better if everybody simply cancelled each others debt. There is no reason why not, The only people to suffer would be the greedy people who are charging high interest to governments. The truth is countries are not as broke as claimed, this is a ploy to destroy the fabric of the welfare system in Britain.
The truth is worse than the chancellor revealed, In his figures he included the potential money that could be realised from the sale of the 4G network, It is true things are worse and this proves it. If you look around the world and see all the countries that are in serious debt, then you have to wonder if it would not be better if everybody simply cancelled each others debt. There is no reason why not, The only people to suffer would be the greedy people who are charging high interest to governments. The truth is countries are not as broke as claimed, this is a ploy to destroy the fabric of the welfare system in Britain. mavrick

6:04pm Wed 5 Dec 12

Good call says...

Ooh the sheeple will love this benefits freeze.George Osbourne (who has attended the bilderberg group) is trying to turn neighbours against each other.He is a globalist,bankster loving, scumbag.
Ooh the sheeple will love this benefits freeze.George Osbourne (who has attended the bilderberg group) is trying to turn neighbours against each other.He is a globalist,bankster loving, scumbag. Good call

7:46pm Wed 5 Dec 12

Wishingwell says...

mavrick wrote:
The truth is worse than the chancellor revealed, In his figures he included the potential money that could be realised from the sale of the 4G network, It is true things are worse and this proves it. If you look around the world and see all the countries that are in serious debt, then you have to wonder if it would not be better if everybody simply cancelled each others debt. There is no reason why not, The only people to suffer would be the greedy people who are charging high interest to governments. The truth is countries are not as broke as claimed, this is a ploy to destroy the fabric of the welfare system in Britain.
As far as I am concerned interest rates need to be around 20% you want to try earning a living and saving matey!
[quote][p][bold]mavrick[/bold] wrote: The truth is worse than the chancellor revealed, In his figures he included the potential money that could be realised from the sale of the 4G network, It is true things are worse and this proves it. If you look around the world and see all the countries that are in serious debt, then you have to wonder if it would not be better if everybody simply cancelled each others debt. There is no reason why not, The only people to suffer would be the greedy people who are charging high interest to governments. The truth is countries are not as broke as claimed, this is a ploy to destroy the fabric of the welfare system in Britain.[/p][/quote]As far as I am concerned interest rates need to be around 20% you want to try earning a living and saving matey! Wishingwell

8:23pm Wed 5 Dec 12

DEO VOLENTE says...

The current austerity measures are of course intrinsically linked to the waste that occured during the "New Labour" years. Thank god that "New Labour" are not in charge of the country, things would be so much worse! At least the present government are trying to bring the economy under control. We must never let "New Labour" into power again.

Deus Vobiscum
The current austerity measures are of course intrinsically linked to the waste that occured during the "New Labour" years. Thank god that "New Labour" are not in charge of the country, things would be so much worse! At least the present government are trying to bring the economy under control. We must never let "New Labour" into power again. Deus Vobiscum DEO VOLENTE

9:44pm Wed 5 Dec 12

Good call says...

DEO VOLENTE wrote:
The current austerity measures are of course intrinsically linked to the waste that occured during the "New Labour" years. Thank god that "New Labour" are not in charge of the country, things would be so much worse! At least the present government are trying to bring the economy under control. We must never let "New Labour" into power again.

Deus Vobiscum
You haven't figured it out yet, have you.Government are simply pawns of the globalist banking cartels who own everything of any value and then some.
[quote][p][bold]DEO VOLENTE[/bold] wrote: The current austerity measures are of course intrinsically linked to the waste that occured during the "New Labour" years. Thank god that "New Labour" are not in charge of the country, things would be so much worse! At least the present government are trying to bring the economy under control. We must never let "New Labour" into power again. Deus Vobiscum[/p][/quote]You haven't figured it out yet, have you.Government are simply pawns of the globalist banking cartels who own everything of any value and then some. Good call

9:59pm Wed 5 Dec 12

Noiticer says...

A cancellation of a petrol duty rise but rail fares going up by inflation plus 1% ie 4.2% the tenth year above inflation rises - some unfairness here.

An incompetent Chancellor in an incompetent government who allows £120 billions in tax avoidance and evasion but attack the working poor and others on benefits.
A cancellation of a petrol duty rise but rail fares going up by inflation plus 1% ie 4.2% the tenth year above inflation rises - some unfairness here. An incompetent Chancellor in an incompetent government who allows £120 billions in tax avoidance and evasion but attack the working poor and others on benefits. Noiticer

10:15pm Wed 5 Dec 12

retired one says...

We are in debt as a country, but yet we send billions of pounds supposedly in aid to other countries, but the corrupt governments in these countries do not always pass it on to help the needy.
Britain would be a rich country if taxpayers money was not sent elsewhere. Charity begins at home.
We are in debt as a country, but yet we send billions of pounds supposedly in aid to other countries, but the corrupt governments in these countries do not always pass it on to help the needy. Britain would be a rich country if taxpayers money was not sent elsewhere. Charity begins at home. retired one

7:12am Thu 6 Dec 12

2 for 5p says...

wait there hows this going to work :

benefits frozen @ 1% over 3 years yet fags and booze will go up with inflation.

how are the lazy ones going to afford it , Oh silly me i forgot theres always soft hearted mugs that donate to the food banks.

They will still be buying fags and booze no differnt to them
wait there hows this going to work : benefits frozen @ 1% over 3 years yet fags and booze will go up with inflation. how are the lazy ones going to afford it , Oh silly me i forgot theres always soft hearted mugs that donate to the food banks. They will still be buying fags and booze no differnt to them 2 for 5p

11:56am Thu 6 Dec 12

mavrick says...

Wishingwell wrote:
mavrick wrote:
The truth is worse than the chancellor revealed, In his figures he included the potential money that could be realised from the sale of the 4G network, It is true things are worse and this proves it. If you look around the world and see all the countries that are in serious debt, then you have to wonder if it would not be better if everybody simply cancelled each others debt. There is no reason why not, The only people to suffer would be the greedy people who are charging high interest to governments. The truth is countries are not as broke as claimed, this is a ploy to destroy the fabric of the welfare system in Britain.
As far as I am concerned interest rates need to be around 20% you want to try earning a living and saving matey!
I have worked all my life and saved, My pension disappeared on black wednesday when john major was prime minister. They wanted me to put extra money into the pension scheme so I would not fall short. Good job I didn't where would I have been now? The comments about every body being a dole dossers= are sickening, I hope the people making these comments remember that this could happen to them too.
[quote][p][bold]Wishingwell[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mavrick[/bold] wrote: The truth is worse than the chancellor revealed, In his figures he included the potential money that could be realised from the sale of the 4G network, It is true things are worse and this proves it. If you look around the world and see all the countries that are in serious debt, then you have to wonder if it would not be better if everybody simply cancelled each others debt. There is no reason why not, The only people to suffer would be the greedy people who are charging high interest to governments. The truth is countries are not as broke as claimed, this is a ploy to destroy the fabric of the welfare system in Britain.[/p][/quote]As far as I am concerned interest rates need to be around 20% you want to try earning a living and saving matey![/p][/quote]I have worked all my life and saved, My pension disappeared on black wednesday when john major was prime minister. They wanted me to put extra money into the pension scheme so I would not fall short. Good job I didn't where would I have been now? The comments about every body being a dole dossers= are sickening, I hope the people making these comments remember that this could happen to them too. mavrick

12:35pm Thu 6 Dec 12

juanbbien says...

mavrick wrote:
Wishingwell wrote:
mavrick wrote:
The truth is worse than the chancellor revealed, In his figures he included the potential money that could be realised from the sale of the 4G network, It is true things are worse and this proves it. If you look around the world and see all the countries that are in serious debt, then you have to wonder if it would not be better if everybody simply cancelled each others debt. There is no reason why not, The only people to suffer would be the greedy people who are charging high interest to governments. The truth is countries are not as broke as claimed, this is a ploy to destroy the fabric of the welfare system in Britain.
As far as I am concerned interest rates need to be around 20% you want to try earning a living and saving matey!
I have worked all my life and saved, My pension disappeared on black wednesday when john major was prime minister. They wanted me to put extra money into the pension scheme so I would not fall short. Good job I didn't where would I have been now? The comments about every body being a dole dossers= are sickening, I hope the people making these comments remember that this could happen to them too.
It's the same with state pensions,now you only need to pay thirty years contributions to qualify,I paid in the full what used to be forty years so what's happened to my other ten years contributions where have they dissappeared too,I should be entitled to a ten year refund somewhere in the region of eight to ten thousand from my money I have paid in.My question is currently being investigated by Jack Straw,s office but I'm not holding my breath for a positive response.
[quote][p][bold]mavrick[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Wishingwell[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mavrick[/bold] wrote: The truth is worse than the chancellor revealed, In his figures he included the potential money that could be realised from the sale of the 4G network, It is true things are worse and this proves it. If you look around the world and see all the countries that are in serious debt, then you have to wonder if it would not be better if everybody simply cancelled each others debt. There is no reason why not, The only people to suffer would be the greedy people who are charging high interest to governments. The truth is countries are not as broke as claimed, this is a ploy to destroy the fabric of the welfare system in Britain.[/p][/quote]As far as I am concerned interest rates need to be around 20% you want to try earning a living and saving matey![/p][/quote]I have worked all my life and saved, My pension disappeared on black wednesday when john major was prime minister. They wanted me to put extra money into the pension scheme so I would not fall short. Good job I didn't where would I have been now? The comments about every body being a dole dossers= are sickening, I hope the people making these comments remember that this could happen to them too.[/p][/quote]It's the same with state pensions,now you only need to pay thirty years contributions to qualify,I paid in the full what used to be forty years so what's happened to my other ten years contributions where have they dissappeared too,I should be entitled to a ten year refund somewhere in the region of eight to ten thousand from my money I have paid in.My question is currently being investigated by Jack Straw,s office but I'm not holding my breath for a positive response. juanbbien

1:23pm Thu 6 Dec 12

BROCKSDAD says...

My pension disappeared on black wednesday when john major was prime minister.
Are you sure it wasn't when gordon broon robbed the pension pot
My pension disappeared on black wednesday when john major was prime minister. Are you sure it wasn't when gordon broon robbed the pension pot BROCKSDAD

4:49pm Thu 6 Dec 12

retired one says...

juanbbien wrote:
mavrick wrote:
Wishingwell wrote:
mavrick wrote:
The truth is worse than the chancellor revealed, In his figures he included the potential money that could be realised from the sale of the 4G network, It is true things are worse and this proves it. If you look around the world and see all the countries that are in serious debt, then you have to wonder if it would not be better if everybody simply cancelled each others debt. There is no reason why not, The only people to suffer would be the greedy people who are charging high interest to governments. The truth is countries are not as broke as claimed, this is a ploy to destroy the fabric of the welfare system in Britain.
As far as I am concerned interest rates need to be around 20% you want to try earning a living and saving matey!
I have worked all my life and saved, My pension disappeared on black wednesday when john major was prime minister. They wanted me to put extra money into the pension scheme so I would not fall short. Good job I didn't where would I have been now? The comments about every body being a dole dossers= are sickening, I hope the people making these comments remember that this could happen to them too.
It's the same with state pensions,now you only need to pay thirty years contributions to qualify,I paid in the full what used to be forty years so what's happened to my other ten years contributions where have they dissappeared too,I should be entitled to a ten year refund somewhere in the region of eight to ten thousand from my money I have paid in.My question is currently being investigated by Jack Straw,s office but I'm not holding my breath for a positive response.
Please let us know if and when you get a response, as I also contributed for the full 40 years. The more we pay in the more we are penalised.
[quote][p][bold]juanbbien[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mavrick[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Wishingwell[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mavrick[/bold] wrote: The truth is worse than the chancellor revealed, In his figures he included the potential money that could be realised from the sale of the 4G network, It is true things are worse and this proves it. If you look around the world and see all the countries that are in serious debt, then you have to wonder if it would not be better if everybody simply cancelled each others debt. There is no reason why not, The only people to suffer would be the greedy people who are charging high interest to governments. The truth is countries are not as broke as claimed, this is a ploy to destroy the fabric of the welfare system in Britain.[/p][/quote]As far as I am concerned interest rates need to be around 20% you want to try earning a living and saving matey![/p][/quote]I have worked all my life and saved, My pension disappeared on black wednesday when john major was prime minister. They wanted me to put extra money into the pension scheme so I would not fall short. Good job I didn't where would I have been now? The comments about every body being a dole dossers= are sickening, I hope the people making these comments remember that this could happen to them too.[/p][/quote]It's the same with state pensions,now you only need to pay thirty years contributions to qualify,I paid in the full what used to be forty years so what's happened to my other ten years contributions where have they dissappeared too,I should be entitled to a ten year refund somewhere in the region of eight to ten thousand from my money I have paid in.My question is currently being investigated by Jack Straw,s office but I'm not holding my breath for a positive response.[/p][/quote]Please let us know if and when you get a response, as I also contributed for the full 40 years. The more we pay in the more we are penalised. retired one

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