Gordon Brown has kicked off the general election campaign with a pledge to deliver "substantial extra resources" for frontline services.

ePolitix Forum Members have commented on the Spending Review;

Forum Response: Shelter

Adam Sampson, director of housing charity Shelter said: "In a tight Spending Review, today's significant boost for new homes is
very welcome and follows the Barker report in reflecting how housing is moving up the political agenda.

"The Chancellor's recognition of the key role of investing in housing in the strategy to tackle child poverty is very encouraging. It is now essential that this spending is targeted towards those in greatest need not least the record numbers of homeless families languishing - at a huge cost to both them personally and to the taxpayer (1) - in temporary accommodation.

"The key challenge now will be to ensure that the new social homes, that are so desperately needed, are actually built. Only by showing a long term commitment to social housing will the government truly tackle the worst aspects of Britain's housing crisis."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Graeme Leach, chief economist at the IoD, said: "We are still a long way from genuine structural reform in our public services. The Chancellor's plans to reduce civil service head count are welcome - and long overdue. But they must be accompanied by more choice and competition in health and education.