"Alistair Darling to give budget cash boost to poorest"

[muriel_volestrangler]

(my quotes, because I'll believe it when I see it, with this lot, and The Observer has a record of putting out stories to make New Labour look good without any substance behind them)

The chancellor is preparing to channel cash to poorer families in his budget as part of a mini-fiscal stimulus to kick-start the economy and protect the vulnerable. Senior cabinet figures are backing a campaign by more than 110 Labour MPs, including some ministerial aides, to top up benefits or the tax credits paid to low-income parents.

The move comes as it emerged that Gordon Brown is trying to broker a £100bn deal at this week's G20 summit to stop the world's poorest falling victim to the banking crisis by extending loans and aid to developing countries that are at risk of poverty, disease and conflict. In an open letter published by the Observer today, the MPs argue that giving tax cuts to the middle classes may simply see money tucked away in savings accounts, but giving cash to those who really need it ensures they will spend it.

Last night a Treasury source made clear the chancellor was taking the idea seriously, adding: "Alistair Darling is very focused on taking whatever measures are possible to kick-start the economy and put money where it is most needed."
...
Brown is also working on an emergency G20 package to replace bank lending to developing countries, which has evaporated in the credit crunch, amid fears that nations just emerging from poverty could be driven into recession.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/mar/29/alistair-darling-poverty-benefits