Monday 24 November 2008

It's time for the Pre-Budget Report

What surprises might Darling have in store?



I have never known a budget or a PBR where so many of the key details were leaked in advance. Already, the papers are full of the news that VAT will be temporarily cut from 17.5% to 15%, and that the top rate of Income Tax will rise to 45% on earnings beyond £150,000 per annum.

I cannot believe that the return of Campbell and Mandelson would allow for these to be leaked accidentally, and so I wonder whether they were merely sending out trial-balloons for the media reaction, or whether there is a greater surprise awaiting us when Mr Darling takes to the Dispatch Box at 15:30 GMT.

Any guesses?

Morus

7 comments:

Peter O said...

I'll stick my neck out - somewhere hidden in the paper-work will be a whopping increase in National Insurance contributions.

Anonymous said...

Have you been taken off the air?

alex

Sean Thomas said...

Are we buggered again?

Anonymous said...

Main website down?

Anonymous said...

Main website down?

Sean Thomas said...

Helloooo?

Anonymous said...

Did pb just explode as everyone tried to understand the 1 point lead?