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The Budget

The hon. Gentleman draws attention to the figures, which I interpret as part of the consequence of the severe economic difficulties that this country has been through over the past few years. I hope he understands that this country has been through the deepest recession that we have had for many decades. We were left with a serious problem in our public finances, which has to be sorted out and for which, frankly, the country was not as well prepared as it could have been. In that context, in order to restore confidence in the economy and to provide some stability and a platform for economic growth, for the private sector to lead the recovery, we have had to make some difficult decisions on public spending and taxation. However, where we can—I appreciate that it does not go as far as any of us might like—we are trying to take decisions, such as on the income tax personal allowance and fuel duty, that provide at least some relief to families from the pressures they are under.