Today’s Budget shows the Conservatives’ long-term economic plan is working – with the deficit down, growth up, jobs up, living standards rising, and now debt is starting to fall as a share of the economy. That means families across Britain able to feel more financially secure. But we now face a choice: between returning to the economic chaos of the past, or sticking to the economic plan that’s delivering for families. In this Budget we chose the future – taking another big step on the road to a stronger economy.
In response, the following third parties, among many others, endorsed the Budget 2015:
· Confederation of British Industry (CBI). ‘Stability and consistency are what businesses need to grow and prosper. This Budget sets the tone, providing a clear plan for fiscal health and growth’ (John Cridland, CBI Director-General, Press Release, 18 March 2015, link <http://news.cbi.org.uk/news/budget-2015-cbi-reaction/> ).
· Association of British Insurers (ABI). ‘We welcome the announcements for more flexible ISAs and help-to-buy ISAs. These measures should help re-build a savings culture in the UK, which is critical for people’s financial wellbeing’ (ABI, Politics Home, 18 March 2015, link <https://www.politicshome.com/document/press-release/association-british-insurers/budget-2015-isas-and-pension-tax-relief> ).
· EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation. ‘The Chancellor gets three cheers from manufacturers for the measures he included to boost exporters’ (Terry Scuoler, Chief Executive of EEF, EEF Press Release, 18 March 2015, link <http://www.eef.org.uk/about-eef/media-news-and-insights/media-releases/2015/mar/eef-responds-to-chancellors-budget-statement> ).
· British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) ‘The Chancellor has pulled off a difficult balancing act, maintaining fiscal discipline while ensuring that necessary deficit reduction doesn’t undermine the UK’s growth prospects.’ (John Longworth, BCC Director General, Press Release, 18 March 2015, link <http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/press-office/press-releases/budget-2015-chancellor-pulls-off-tough-balancing-act-again,-says-bcc.html> ).
· Scotch Whisky Association. ‘This is a historic decision and only the fourth time whisky duty has been cut in a century. The Chancellor’s announcement will be toasted across the whisky industry’ (David Frost, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, Press Release, 18 March 2015, link <http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/press-office/press-releases/budget-2015-full-reaction-from-the-british-chambers-of-commerce.html> ).