BUDGET BRANDED 'POLITICAL SUPERMARKET SWEEP OF RANDOM PROMISES'

The Liberal Democrats have branded Alistair Darling's Budget as a "political supermarket sweep of random promises".

The Chancellor's Budget revealed that the UK will have to borrow a record £175bn as the economy faces its worst year since the Second World War.

Mr Darling tore up a key Labour election pledge by unveiling a new 50p top tax rate for those on £150,000.

He also cut future spending plans in a Budget which added 2p on fuel, 1p on a pint of beer and 7p on cigarettes.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said: "Today we got a pick and mix Budget of recycled announcements from a government skilled in raising people's hopes but incompetent at actually delivering help.

"This Budget is a political supermarket sweep of random promises, without even a hint of a plan or any likelihood the promises will be put into practice.

"The biggest disappointment in this Budget is its failure to sort out Britain's unfair tax system. To put money into people's pockets to help them make it through this recession.

"Britain's taxes are too heavy on those who can least afford it. And too easy to avoid for those who know how.

"The 50p rate will further encourage the very wealthy to avoid tax unless we tackle the unfair loopholes they exploit.

"The Liberal Democrats would get practical help to people who are struggling and cut the vast majority of people's Income Tax bills by £700, paid for by taking aggressive action to clamp down on all the loopholes and exemptions that benefit the richest people and biggest businesses.

"We would take big choices about what government should and shouldn't do.

"With a shocking deficit this year of £175bn we need a national debate about what the state can and cannot afford in the future.

"That is the responsible way - the honest way - to reduce spending in the years ahead and avoid painful higher taxes.

"But Labour is out of ideas and out of steam.

"Today they have condemned us to years of unemployment and a decade of debt.

"The country deserves something different."

Read a summary of the party's Economic Recovery Plan at www.LibDems.org.uk/RecoveryPlan