Charles Kennedy gave a broad welcome to the Budget measures announced by Gordon Brown but said they were "five years too late" for many NHS patients..

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will vote to support the national insurance rises announced by Gordon Brown.

"At the last election it was the Liberal Democrats who pointed out what was blindingly obvious to those who use the NHS - that extra investment was needed to save public services," he said.

"If only Labour had listened to us before, the NHS would not be in this state now - for too many patients this funding is already five years too late."

"Most people will welcome this investment provided they can see their money will get results.

"There are three immediate ways to treat more patients - end bed-blocking; start paying health service professionals enough to stop them leaving the service; and start training the doctors and nurses we need to transform the NHS for the 21st century."

He said the Budget was a significant moment in politics.

It had, said Kennedy, opened a "clear ideological divide" between the government, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives over how public services were funded.

"We welcome what we've got so far," was his verdict.

The Lib Dem leader also welcomed modest changes for small business.

But, he said, a "fiendishly complex" system of tax credits was hindering the take-up of benefits.

Kennedy also called for a timetable for a euro vote as a result of the weakness of the manufacturing sector due to the strength of the pound.