Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out calling a general election in the next 12 months. He was speaking to reporters at a community centre in central London after the Budget.
"I don't know how many times I've done this now, but yes, I can rule out calling a general election in the next 12 months."
He has previously said the next election would not come until the end of the parliament in 2029, HuffPost UK reports.
Rejecting claims that the Budget lacked ambition, he said it was "pretty bold to help 20 million households with their energy costs through a council tax cut this winter. It's bold to lift 70,000 businesses out of business rates altogether."
Fact check: calling the £100 energy payment a council tax cut is wrong. As reported earlier on this blog, it is a direct bank payment to homes in council tax bands A to D. It does not reduce anyone's council tax bill.
The 70,000 businesses figure matches the claim in the Chancellor John Healey's Budget speech for raising the small business rate relief threshold from £12,000 to £18,000.
Mr Burnham also said the situation in the Middle East left no "huge room for manoeuvre". He added: "We've got a 10-year plan to come, and that will inform the spending review next year."