Construction union UCATT have described the budget as a betrayal of workers and their families.

The budget confirmed that the 50 pence top rate of tax will be abolished and that the Chancellor will press ahead with regional pay resulting in lower rates for thousands of public sector workers, creating further economic misery.

The Government's austerity policies mean that the proposed cuts in benefits that many families rely on to make ends meet will come fully into effect in the next 12 months.

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Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "We saw the true colours of this Government, tax cuts for the wealthiest while workers are facing an ever greater squeeze on their living standards. This is not about fairness this is all about privilege.

"This budget was bad news for construction. The Government is the construction industries biggest client. The industry is crying out for significant Government investment in new projects in order to help get construction workers back to work. All that the industry received were a few additional crumbs."

(CD/GK)