Financial Resolutions, 1978: Financial Statement, Budget, 1978. - Implementation of other manifesto commitments
By way of completion of my review of the published public expenditure Estimates, I should like to emphasise that, as well as giving expression to the Government's concern for job-creation, they contain provision for implementation of many specific policy commitments made in the manifesto:
—An additional £63.25 million has been provided by way of grant in respect of the complete abolition of rates on domestic dwellings and certain other buildings.
—A total extra provision of £33.5 million has been made for the new schemes of grants for the erection and improvement of houses announced by the Minister for the Environment and for the increased loan and income limits for SDA loans.
—£13.25 million has been included in the Social Welfare Vote in respect of the cost of the £1 a week reduction in the stamp for workers earning less than £50 a week and free telephone rental for old age pensioners living alone.
—£11.5 million has been provided for other items including development of the health services, abolition of the marriage differential in the public service and increased higher education grants.