Richard Wastcoat, UK managing director of Fidelity Investments, said: "The decision to keep current ISA limits until 2010 is welcome and an important reminder that government has a role to play in encouraging people to save for their future.
"We would also like to see the chancellor restore the dividend tax credit for ISAs. We are in no doubt that the removal of the dividend tax credit has deterred some investors from taking out ISAs.
"The chancellor should go a step further by raising the maximum contribution limits for ISAs, which we believe, will really boost savings.
"The ISA contribution levels have always been below those for PEPs, nor have the limits kept pace with inflation like many of the other allowances granted to the taxpayer."
Stakeholder Response: Association of British Insurers
Peter Vipond, ABI director of financial regulation and taxation, said: "We welcome the government's decision to maintain the existing ISA limits to 2010. ISAs are an important tax-free savings vehicle.
"There is much to be done to encourage a savings culture in the UK, and the ISA's tax-free benefits provide a valuable incentive to save".
Stakeholder Response: Nationwide
Philip Williamson, chief executive of Nationwide said: "The Chancellor's decision to extend the ISA limits to 2010 is great news for savers. Giving people the chance to earn good rates of tax-free interest for a further five years could really boost the
amount they save. While we welcome the Chancellor's announcement, we would like to see the current ISA become a permanent feature of the UK savings market as this would go a long way towards achieving
the government's objective of encouraging more people to save.
"One in three people benefit from the tax-free incentives of ISAs and for many of our customers their cash ISA is their first savings account. Our internal figures show that many of our customers are using the cash ISA as a flexible, safe and accessible 'tax free' savings account."
ENVIRONMENT
Stakeholder Response: Woodland Trust
Dr James Cooper of the Woodland Trust said: "The environment appears to have had precious little influence upon this Budget. It is disappointing that having made a prominent speech on the environment yesterday, albeit one lacking in any substantive new commitments, Gordon Brown scarcely referred to the importance of environmental issues. This is especially disappointing given that climate change has been flagged up as the government’s chief priority for its presidency of the G8 alongside Africa.
"Climate change has been described by the government’s chief scientific advisor as a greater threat than international terrorism. Thoughtful and wider use of fiscal incentives is vital in ensuring that necessary behavioural changes are seen as an opportunity rather than a burden but this appears to have dropped down the Treasury’s agenda in recent years. This year’s Budget clearly confirms this.
"On a more positive note the plan for Britain’s first national community service is welcome and we would hope that improvement of the environment will be a key driver of the service’s work."
Stakeholder Response: National Farmers Union
A spokesman for the NFU said: "The decision to place a freeze on the climate change levy acknowledges the positive role the agriculture sector has played in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the NFU is disappointed the industry has not been offered the opportunity to play an even greater role in reducing the impact of climate change and urges the government to implement the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation at the nearest possible opportunity.
"The NFU look forwards to driving forward in a meaningful way the agenda on biofuels."
Stakeholder Response: Construction Products Association
Michael Ankers, chief executive said: "The Association’s other disappointments with the Budget were on the environmental side. The arguments for retaining the Aggregates Tax completely misunderstand the adverse impact this measure is having on the environment, whilst the government missed the opportunity to clarify the relationship between the Climate Change Levy and the new EU Emissions Trading Scheme."
EDUCATION
Stakeholder Response: National Union of Teachers
Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "I welcome Gordon Brown’s commitment to funding the renewal of primary school buildings and funding for ICT but I hope this optimism is not undermined by double counting and spin.
"The controversies and insecurities of the private finance initiative and academy sponsorship have taken the shine off government achievements in funding the secondary school rebuilding programme.
"I hope that this time, what you see is what you get."
Stakeholder Response: NASUWT
Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT said: "I welcome the fact that education clearly remains at the top of the government’s priorities.
"The announcement with regard to increased capital funding to transform primary school buildings is a very important development. Pupils and teachers deserve nothing less than a high quality environment conducive to high standards of education.
"I sincerely hope that the government does not allow PFI and private sponsorship to taint this welcome announcement.
"Secondary schools anxious about the implications of the White Paper will be very pleased to note the recognition by the Chancellor that the 14-19 agenda cannot be delivered without increased investment."
Stakeholder Response: 4Children
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children said: "New money announced today will help transform primary schools in this country to create new primary school villages of the future for children and families.
"Since the re-launch of our charity last year, we have seen unprecedented commitment to improving and re-shaping the support our society offers to children, young people and their families. Schools have the potential to provide additional, crucial opportunities for children and significant support for families. Childcare services are central to this and an area where funding is crucial if we are to establish government targets of half of all primary schools and a third of secondary becoming extended schools by 2008."
MEDICAL
Stakeholder Response: Medical Research Council
Professor Colin Blakemore said: "The Medical Research Council is delighted at the Chancellor’s continued support of stem cell research.
"All of us who are actively trying to advance stem cell research fervently hope that it will one day be possible to treat currently incurable conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and Parkinson’s disease to the benefit of hundreds of thousands of people."
ALCOHOL
Stakeholder Response: British National Temperance League
Barbara Briggs, ceo, said: "We at BNTL are disappointed by the Chancellors statement to put the annual inflation rise on beer, wine and cigarettes but to freeze prices on spirits, cider and sparkling wine.
"In today's climate where drunken brawls on streets are commonplace within our society - one of the most effective measures would be to increase prices therefore people will drink less, instead of making alcohol more affordable and accessible for all."
