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Key Budget measures include
Maintaining a stable economy
High quality public services

Productivity and enterprise in a flexible economy
Employment opportunity for all
Building a fairer society
Protecting the environment

Household income
Where taxpayers' money is spent
Further information
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The Government's long-term goal is employment opportunity for all. The Government is committed to promoting a dynamic and flexible labour market, where everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their full potential.

Since 1997, the New Deal has helped nearly 480,000 young people into jobs, and help has been extended to wider groups, such as lone parents, older people and disabled people. Unemployment in the UK is now lower than in any other G7 major economy and the number of people in work has risen by nearly 1.7 million.

The Government has introduced reforms to improve work incentives and provide support for those on low incomes. Introduced in April 2003, the Working Tax Credit helps to make work pay and is benefiting 2.3 million working families on low and moderate incomes. Together with the National Minimum Wage, the Working Tax Credit helps to deliver a more flexible labour market, while ensuring that workers are protected against falls in income.

Budget 2004 sets out the steps the Government is taking to build on the progress already made to extend employment opportunity to all, including:

• piloting measures to provide extra help for people on incapacity-related benefits who want to move back into work;


• further help for lone parents who are seeking employment; and


• from October 2004, a further increase in the National Minimum Wage to £4.85 for adults and £4.10 for young people, and to prevent exploitation of young employees through excessively low wages, the introduction of a new National Minimum Wage for 16 and 17 year olds of £3.00.

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