Charlotte MacKenzie, Labour’s prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth, today welcomed the Chancellor’s budget statement.

Charlotte MacKenzie said: “This Budget secures the recovery – rather than putting it at risk.

“It builds a future based on growth and jobs – rather than leaving people to a decade of austerity.

“It sets out a clear plan to halve the deficit while protecting frontline services. The Conservatives refuse to match our pledge and continue to conceal their plan.

“We will make these choices in a fair way – standing up for the many, not the few.

“I particularly welcome the help for first time buyers which means nine out of ten people buying a home for the first time won’t pay any stamp duty.”

Charlotte MacKenzie challenged local Conservatives to come clean about their party’s plans: “The Tories must say how they would meet the challenge that we have set in this Budget.

“How much would the Tories cut from spending in 2010/11? They won’t say.

“How quickly would the Tories halve the deficit? They won’t say.

“By how much would the Tories reduce the structural deficit? They won’t say.

“We’ve set out our plan. It is time for Tory candidate Sarah Newton to come clean.”