Saffron Walden’s MP has warmly welcomed the Chancellor’s final Budget before the General Election – calling it another step on the path from austerity to prosperity.

The Budget contained a number of announcements that will support people across the Eastern region, as well as across the country as a whole, Sir Alan Haselhurst said.

“Whilst there were cuts to the duty on beer, whisky and cider, as well as a freezing of fuel and wine duty, this was a responsible budget which should help to secure a better and healthier economic future for the country,” Sir Alan said.

By raising the tax-free allowance to £10,800, the Government had pledged to take some of the poorest in our society out of tax altogether, he added.

“At a time when employment is at a record high, we have a growing economy and a deficit that has been halved since the Government came to power,” Sir Alan said.

“This Budget showed the clear choice to be faced at the ballot box on May 7 – between competence under the Conservative Party or economic chaos under Ed Miliband, Ed Balls and the Labour Party.”

Particularly helpful to the rural Saffron Walden constituency, Sir Alan said when reflecting on the Budget, was the increasing of the period over which self-employed farmers can average their profits for income tax purposes.

And there was further good news for the area with the confirmation of extra funding for the stretch of the M11 from Stansted to Cambridge.