"In previous recessions, Cornwall always came off worse than the rest of the country. 

"Today, interest rates are low and Cornwall's unemployment rate is 3.3%, less than the national average of 4.4% 

"There is more help for Cornwall's economy with the staggering of fuel tax increases and the business rate cuts.

"Increasing tax credits for pensioners and young families will also help many people who have struggled in this recession, especially with rising food and fuel costs.  Cornwall's low wages make that help even more welcome.  

"I am delighted that the budget will continue the support for working people in difficult times and invest in economic recovery, through training, university places and business tax cuts. 

"There has been a cost to protecting jobs and homes but Labour will pay that off over time with economic growth and the Chancellor has already started to do that.  

"In the 1990s nationally, the rates of people losing their jobs and homes were double what they are today and mortgage costs were high with interest rates in double figures .Although this recession has been very deep, its effect on people in Cornwall has been much less than previous recessions, with today's unemployment less than half what it was in 1992.

"In the 1990s, the Tories said that unemployment was 'a price worth paying' but Labour will never agree with that. 

"That's the difference between Labour and the Tories and Lib Dems, who are both calling for 'savage cuts'."