MPs with sites in the Webminster section of ePolitix.com give their verdict on Gordon Brown's budget.

John Austin (Labour) Erith and Thameside

"Of course the big talking point is the government's commitment to the NHS. We welcome the clear and unequivocal commitment to an NHS free at the point of need, funded wholly by taxation, and the absolute rejection of Tory dogma on charges and insurance.

"Doubling of spending on the NHS just clarifies how much we have to do to catch up with the rest of Europe. That's the measure of the Tory legacy. Now the NHS will have the necessary resources to repair the damage done by the Bottomley cuts and the years of under-funding under the Tories.

"Personally, I would have preferred to see the money raised through income tax, as this is generally less regressive than National Insurance charges, however the chancellor has protected the lower paid, as the rise in national insurance is more than offset; by the changes to tax credits.

"I hope this is a first step towards fully integrating employees' NI contributions into income tax and I would like to see the upper ceiling on contributions lifted, but on the whole this is a good budget, targeting resources where the public wants - in the health service."

To view John Austin's site, please go to ePolitix.com/webminster/john-austin

Hywel Francis (Labour) Aberavon

"Today's budget is a Budget for the NHS - which is good news for the people of Aberavon. The people of Aberavon know that the NHS is one of the Britain's greatest achievements. But after decades of under-investment, our health service needs massive extra investment to make it the best insurance policy in the world - an NHS free when you need it.

"Gordon Brown's announcement allows those decisions to now be made. Labour believes a taxpayer funded NHS is the best way to make sure costs are spread widely and fairly. The one per cent extra in National Insurance will mean £3.70 a week for someone on average earnings; pensioners will pay nothing more. The Tories oppose our plans because they want to 'break' and charge people to see their GP or stay in hospital and force people to take out private health insurance.

"We need long-term decisions to rebuild our health service, families and businesses. I welcome today's Budget for having the strength to make those decisions and do what needs to be done for Aberavon and Britain."

To view Hywel Francis's site, please go to ePolitix.com/webminster/hywel-francis

Angela Browning (Conservative) Tiverton and Honiton

"When the chancellor started to speak, claiming that this was to be a budget for enterprise, it sounded like a good package, simplification of VAT for small businesses, reduction in Corporation Tax, etc. However, he completely negated this by introducing an additional one per cent on Employers' National Insurance Contributions, including the self-employed.

"The £6.1 billion raised is to be spent underpinning the National Health Service. However, the chancellor had no plans to improve the service other than monitoring, annual audits and reports. I would have had more confidence if he had said that this money would be spent, not by politicians, but by doctors and nurses based on patient need and clinical priorities set. "

"It is a budget of tax and spend, only time will tell if they have spent our taxes wisely."

To view Angela Browning's site, please go to epolitix.com/webminster/angela-browning

Martyn Jones (Labour) Clwyd South

"The Budget delivers a balanced for families, businesses, and jobs.

"The Child Tax Credit next year will give more support for all middle and lower income families who are bringing up children. And this year, the £2.50 a week increase in the Working Families Tax Credit will mean more help to 1,911 families in Clwyd South. Unemployment in Britain is at its lowest since 1975 and has fallen by -33 per cent since 1997 in Clwyd South alone. Extending the New Deal will help more people in Clwyd South into jobs and the Working Tax Credit from next year will make work pay for more people on lower incomes.

"Finally the Budget delivers extra help for the 1,930 businesses in Clwyd South with cuts in the starting rate for corporation tax and small business rate and other measures to encourage enterprise and new businesses."

To view Martyn Jones's site, please go to epolitix.com/webminster/martyn-jones