MP for Watford Richard Harrington has praised plans to put security first for families in Watford.

In Wednesday's Summer Budget, Chancellor George Osborne also announced plans to keep moving to a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare economy.

A compulsory "living wage" of £7.20 an hour for over-25s from next year, rising to £9 by 2020, was the centrepiece of the first Tory-only Budget since 1996.

Mr Harrington welcomed the measures as good news for "hardworking taxpayers" in Watford.

He said: "This is a Budget that delivers security for working people in Watford and keeps Britain moving from a low wage, high tax, high welfare economy to a higher wage, lower tax and lower welfare country.

"The new National Living Wage and tax cuts for working families will boost take-home pay for those who work hard and want to get on in life - meaning more financial security.

"As apprenticeships adviser to the Prime Minister, and tasked with delivering three million more apprenticeships over the next five years,

"I really welcome the investment that will come from the Apprenticeships Levy on large companies"

"Reducing the tax burden on businesses will create jobs and give more people the security of well-paid work, and having a strong economy means we can invest in our world-class NHS and meet our defence commitments, helping families across the country feel more secure in their homes.

"The economic security of a country that lives within its means.

"The financial security of lower taxes and a new National Living Wage. The national security of a country that defends itself and its values.

"This is a Budget that puts security for families in Watford first."

The chancellor also scrapped student grants and froze working age benefits but increased the overall tax take to slow the pace of welfare cuts.

Labour leader Harriet Harman said the Budget made "working people worse off".