please sir: Cameron mobbed by pupils and under fire on Budget

The Prime Minister was forced to justify the freezing of age-related allowances for pensioners – branded a “granny tax” by critics, following a major backlash to Wednesday’s announcement.

Mr Cameron spoke as he visited a school in the Bradford West constituency ahead of next week’s by-election.

“Every granny in Bradford West, as around the country, is going to be benefiting from the biggest ever increase in the pension that comes April – an extra £5.30 a week,” he said. “At the same time the Budget also delivered a tax cut for 24 million people in our country.

“We have now taken two million of the lowest paid people out of tax altogether so it’s a good Budget for our economy and it’s a fair Budget for all our people.”

The Prime Minister was mobbed by schoolchildren as he strolled through the playground at Kings Science Academy.

His visit was intended to gee up support for Conservative candidate Jackie Whiteley as she prepared to fight seven other candidates in the by-election on March 29.

It was triggered when Labour MP Marsha Singh resigned earlier this month for health reasons. He has held the seat since 1997.

Deputy leader of Bradford Council Imran Hussain will defend a 5,763 majority for Labour. Among the other candidates are Respect MP George Galloway and Liberal Democrat city councillor Jeanette Sunderland.

Comment: Page 12; Opinion: Page 13.