THE Chancellor's pre-Budget speech got cautious approval from the head of Warwickshire Age Concern yesterday (Wednesday).

Elizabeth Phillips, director, said she was pleased with the minimum income guarantee of £92.15 per pensioner from next year but the Government would have to do all it could to ensure each pensioner got what they were entitled to.

Mrs Phillips said many, despite the hard work of Age Concern and the Citizens Advice Bureau, were not getting the correct cash entitlement now because of complex forms and the wrong information and called for a "mapping" system of retired people to ensure they claimed the right benefits.

"I think this is a major step in the right direction towards the eradication of poverty among our pensioners, but more is really needed," she said.

Meanwhile, Gordon Brown's news for the motorist needed time to sink in, according to Andy Adams of Henley hauliers R Adams and Sons.

He said the Road Hauliers Association would begin to analyse the changes, including a new excise system and a drop in the cost of ultra low sulphur diesel last night before deciding on whether more blockades would begin.