Reaction from Liberal Democrat ministers to the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Health Minister Paul Burstow said:

"The settlement for social care shows our determination to protect hundreds of thousands of vulnerable adults and families.

"The Government will protect spending on social care allocating an additional £2bn by 2014/15. This will ensure we can meet the needs of an ageing population and protect access to vital care and support.

"But this does not mean business as usual.  Councils must step up the pace of reform. There needs to be a focus on increased productivity, more innovation and greater personalisation so people have more choice and control."

Communities Minister Andrew Stunell said:

“These cuts are tough, but fair, and sadly necessary.

“Despite reductions in spending, Liberal Democrats in government will this year deliver more new social homes than in any year under the previous Labour government.

“We will also deliver a bigger net increase in affordable housing in this Parliament than Labour managed in their 13 years in power, for considerably less money.

“In spite of such trying economic circumstances, Liberal Democrats are getting on with the job of tackling the housing problem in this country that has fast become Labour’s hidden legacy.”

Pensions Minister Steve Webb said:

"These reforms are essential if we are to have a welfare system that protects those most in need and encourages people into work instead of trapping them in poverty. This is something the Lib Dems have long campaigned for.

"We have taken some very difficult decisions and of course some of these cuts will be painful, but we have protected the most vulnerable, saved cold weather payments from planned Labour cuts and ensured there will be no impact on child poverty.

"For months there has been speculation that we won’t keep our promises on benefits for pensioners, but today you can see that we have protected winter fuel payments, free TV licenses and concessionary bus passes. This comes on top of restoring the earnings link to pensions."

Defence Minister Nick Harvey said:

“The package of cuts is regrettable. But this is Labour’s legacy. A strong economy is essential to our national security and the multibillion-pound black hole in defence must be corrected.

“Nevertheless, the good news is that £3billion will be saved on replacing our nuclear deterrent.

“Conducting a value for money review of Trident was a key part of the Liberal Democrats joining this coalition government and, as we expected, the review identified significant savings.

“Consequently no major spending on replacing Trident will be committed before absolutely necessary and the British public have just gained another chance to debate this incredibly important decision.

“We will do our best to carry out this deficit reduction plan in a way that strengthens and unites the country, with fairness at the core of each decision."

Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said:

"Our commitment throughout this process was to ensure fairness was at the centre of all decisions on cuts and spending. For that reason, extensive efforts have been made to centre high-level reductions on administration and to protect frontline services.

“On the issue of policing for example, the Comprehensive Spending Review delivered a challenging but manageable settlement for the police and they will do everything they can to safeguard the quality of policing for the public."

Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne said:

“The Foreign Office is protecting its priority: the global network of staff who work so hard to promote Britain’s interests across the world.

“Our London-based operations will be reshaped with a streamlined central bureaucracy in Whitehall. This will save 24% of the FCO’s budget whilst also promoting the cross-government emphasis we believe is vital to Britain’s future interests.

“This approach will allow us to continue to implement our foreign policy objectives on the ground in locations around the world.”

Transport Minister Norman Baker said:

“This is a good settlement for the Department for Transport, in recognition of the crucial role that transport can play both in cutting carbon emissions and helping rebuild the economy. We will be spending more on capital projects in the next four years than was spent in the last four.

“Lib Dems can be particularly pleased that key major rail projects are going ahead. The confirmation that tram extensions have been agreed for Midland Metro and the Nottingham tram system is very welcome, and reflects strong and effective lobbying.

“Also welcome is the Local Sustainable Transport Fund which I was able to announce at the Lib Dem conference.”

Children's Minister Sarah Teather said:

"Today’s Comprehensive Spending Review contains some very difficult decisions. But it shows the character of this coalition government that, while making these difficult decisions, we have done everything we can to protect frontline services, help the most disadvantaged and accelerate social mobility.

"Education is the engine of social mobility. That is why we made manifesto commitments to extend early years education for all and provide extra funding for a Pupil Premium for every disadvantaged child. Today we delivered on both of these pledges and the schools budget will now increase in real terms in each year of this government.

"The Spending Review shows that Nick Clegg, Danny Alexander, and the Liberal Democrats across government are delivering on their promises to give every child a fair start."

Baroness (Jane) Bonham Carter, co-chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee for Culture, Media and Sport said:

"The Liberal Democrats are the BBC's strongest supporters and, like the BBC itself, we are delighted at its new agreement with the government.

"The new arrangement sees BBC funding guaranteed for six years, a secure future for S4C and the BBC World Service, and more support for the roll-out of high speed broadband.

"We can be confident that this agreement marks the best possible outcome for the Beeb.

"Anyone who counts themselves as a BBC supporter can be pleased as well."