Prescott to fight for funds
John Prescott, deputy prime minister, has vowed to be "pretty aggressive" in extracting more money for transport from the chancellor. In the wake of criticism that his Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions had been sidelined in the Budget, Mr Prescott promised to be "pretty aggressive, but intelligently so" in forthcoming spending negotiations with Gordon Brown....more
EDUCATION
Blunkett to kick-start inner city 'academies'
The government is to kick-start proposals for business-led "city academies" in Britain's inner city problem areas with an injection of £60m in extra cash, David Blunkett, education secretary, announced on Thursday. ...more
TRANSPORT
Light railway set to be extended to airport
The government is on Friday expected to announce an extension of Docklands Light Railway to London City Airport as part of a £280m boost for transport announced in Tuesday's Budget. ...more
TOBACCO
New customs officers to fight smuggling
More than 950 new customs officers are to be employed as part of the £209m package aimed at reducing tobacco smuggling announced on Wednesday by the government....more
SCHOOLS
Urban revival plan to receive £60m
Gifted and struggling children in urban schools are to benefit from an extra £60m injection into the controversial Excellence in Cities programme, David Blunkett, education secretary, will announce on Thursday....more
PARTY RESPONSE
Labour MPs praise Budget
Gordon Brown received a rapturous reception from the parliamentary Labour party on Wednesday as he explained how his Budget would deliver the socialist agenda....more
DEVOLVED ADMINISTRATIONS
Scotland and Wales cash in
The devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales have secured big cash injections because of the Budget's boost to health spending. But while the government can direct the extra health money for England into the National Health Service, the Edinburgh parliament and Cardiff assembly will be free to divert the money to other areas such as education or crime reduction....
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Economy
