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The Budget as it relates to Wales

The hon. Gentleman makes several points. There is a degree of denial and complacency about the extent of the problems that this country has been left by the Opposition, who bear a great deal of responsibility for the position that the country is in. It is striking that, in response to the Budget, they tend to welcome measures that cost money, but not those that save money, which would leave the economic position even more difficult than the hon. Gentleman has outlined. The measure on income tax will benefit some 1.1 million basic rate taxpayers in Wales and will, therefore, be of significant benefit to people there who are on low incomes.