Unsure of budget benefits for child (From Penarth Times)

Unsure of budget benefits for child

A YOUNG PENARTH family are unimpressed with the budget delivered by Gordon Brown claiming it does not have 'any impact.'

Franchesca Wright, 30, of Glebe Street gave birth to Madeleine three weeks ago.

But she's unclear on exactly how new parents make a claim.

She said: "I am happy to get the £250 but I want to know if we add money and can we withdraw our cash if there is a crisis?

Madeleine's grandparents want to put money away for her - can we add this to the account?

Musician Franchesca added: "Child care would be a useful issue to address because other countries in Europe seem to be more keen on that.

But I think this Government are more interested in tax credits and baby bonds."

Husband Dean, 31, a trumpet player for the Welsh National Opera, said: "I think the money would be better spent if it was given as a child care voucher.

But as a gesture no-one can turn down the funds. Unfortunately I missed out on the two weeks paternity leave which I would be entitled to now."

He added: "I would pay more tax if I knew what happened to the money.

Once the cash leaves my account it hard to find out where it is used."

Neither Dean nor Franchesca smoke and are not heavy drinkers so the rise put on those goods does not affect the family.

Beer goes up by a penny, a bottle of wine by 4p and a packet of 20 cigarettes will cost 8p more.

Dean added: "It would have been a bonus to give out incentives to use more public transport.

We only use one car now because we decided to cut down our vehicle usage."

Other promises made by the Government were 88,000 more nurses and 25,000 more doctors by 2008.

And on top of that there was a £100 increase to £300 for winter fuel for pensioners over 80 years old.