Thursday, September 16, 2004
Pension Boost Could Hit D.T.I.
Recently there was a report in the Echo on the Liberal Democrat pledge to give more money in pensions to over 75-year-olds. Unfortunately, it did not say where the Liberals were intending to find this money. On Wednesday the Prime Minister revealed they intend to fund it by axing £8bn from the Department of Trade and Industry Budget.
That is all the money for regional support, attracting and developing new jobs, training , nearly all the support for science and the Miner's Compensation Fund.
I can understand why the liberal Democrats should not wish to draw attention to this. They are also silent as to the effect on the Welsh budget.
Wales would lose about £400m equivalent to the entire budget for schools and hospital building, the Crime fighting fund as well as all the regional selective assistance grants for attracting jobs to our area.
Jon Owen-Jones MP
for Cardiff Central
That is all the money for regional support, attracting and developing new jobs, training , nearly all the support for science and the Miner's Compensation Fund.
I can understand why the liberal Democrats should not wish to draw attention to this. They are also silent as to the effect on the Welsh budget.
Wales would lose about £400m equivalent to the entire budget for schools and hospital building, the Crime fighting fund as well as all the regional selective assistance grants for attracting jobs to our area.
Jon Owen-Jones MP
for Cardiff Central
