THE Budget lived up to its expectations. It was low key, perhaps appropriate when our nation is at war.

The Chancellor's reputation will not be made by yesterday's Budget but by last year's, which increased National Insurance to pay for extra spending in public services.

With the rises only coming into force this week, yesterday's Budget was very much a case of wait and see.

If the Chancellor's policies deliver significant improvements in our hospitals and our schools then Mr Brown's stewardship of the economy will be deemed a success.

However, if they do not have the desired results, he and his party risk incurring the wrath of the public at the next General Election in two or three years time.

Yesterday's Budget was billed as one for the regions.

There was much in it for us to welcome. The decentralisation of government departments and public agencies to the regions is long overdue. And the extra support to encourage business start-ups is also much needed if our region is to compete in the global markets.

But we have grave reservations over indications that rates of public sector pay may vary across the country to reflect regional differences in the cost of living.

Surely that will encourage more skilled people to seek opportunities in the South-East. It will stifle economic growth in our region and do nothing to close the North-South Divide.

text to go hereNow the peace

THE toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein in the centre of Baghdad will be one of the most enduring images of the 21st Century.

As a symbol of the brutal regime came crashing to the ground, the ordinary people of Iraq celebrated by embracing the American troops who had freed them from tyranny.

It is imperative the United States capitalises on the goodwill shown to them.

This is not the occasion to talk of victory and military might, but to talk of liberation and support.

With the war all but over, attention must now switch to winning the peace.

If there is a genuine desire to let the Iraqi people run their own country, then there must be no time lost in starting the process of representative government.