MOST budgets are like a curate’s egg – good in places and bad in others.

While George Osborne provided welcome help for people who would like to buy a house there was little help for families on the child care costs front.

Help with high child care costs would have helped many people into work.

A growth strategy, even at this late stage in the political calendar, will ease the pain for many families who are struggling just to get by.

A substantial cut in VAT has worked previously and can stimulate the economy again.

An injection of money for lower income earners will also be a stimulus for the flagging economy.

People in this section of society are well noted for going out and spending extra income which would benefit businesses.

I agree that this all sounds fairly simple, but quite often it is the uncomplicated ideas that work.

Councillor George Dunning, Leader Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.