ACDP welcomes budget speech

By Lelethu Mquqo
23 February 2011

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced various initiatives to boost job creation, including a jobs fund, increasing funding for small businesses and spending on skills and rural development.

Presenting his budget speech in parliament, Gordhan says the R9 billion jobs fund would co-finance innovative public and private sector employment projects.

He also announced a R189 billion allocation for education, an increase of nearly ten percent compared with last year.

The finance minister also focused on the police, with more than R2 billion rands set aside to increase police personnel.

Meanwhile, the African Christian Democratic Party says the budget provides limited personal tax relief and increases in indirect taxation.

In response to finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s budget speech, ACDP MP and finance spokesperson Steve Swart said the party broadly supported the budget.

He welcomes the focus on economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation.

He also supports increased expenditure on infrastructure development, health, education as well as fighting crime and corruption.