Forum Topic

What do you think about the budget?

VAT wholly predictable - given that we are lower than Europe.CGT less than expected (Tory backbench revolt?)Nothing extra on our vices and cider tax rescindedpublic sector pay squeeze for two years also widely trailed. What you expected? Better? Worse?

Sara Nathan ● 5932d15 Comments

all the savings will give the Government the ability to borrow more cheaply ... perhaps!

Dee Cook ● 5932d

Remembering recent budgets, it's hard to know until the fine detail comes out. There is an interesting overview at:http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/22/budget/

Ian M Green ● 5932d

Did I hear that the lowest rate of VAT will rise from 5 to 6%? Utility bills?The cuts in Housing Benefit will create homelessness for people in housing rented to them by the Council/Housing asssociation - where the freehold owner is a private landlord. It would have been better to control rent rises and shift people slowly out of London.I disagree with VAT increasing, because it hits poor families. A rise in Income tax would have been fairer.I approve of the triple lock rise on state pensions. Not clear why booze and fags taxes were not increased.I approve of the incentive for jobs to drift northwards but wonder whether it will work. Certainly agree with the reduction of corporation tax. Will wait to understand what the levy on the banks will mean.Council tax will not rise next year as well. So our local labour party will be hard pushed to whack up Council tax if they don't want to give themselves a bad reputation two years later during the next local elections. But bring back free swimming. Tories particularly non family friendly here, when so little savings will be achieved. I wonder how many more groups ealing labour council will take back in house following the recent decision to take back inhouse the refuse staff. But then should not all employers be forced to pay towards staff pensions instead of the state paying pension credit - which I am glad George Osbourne has not attacked? I most strongly approve of raising the personal allowance so as to reduce welfare admin costs. What happened to the allowance for people over 65?Liberal front benchers looked as sick as pigs when Harriet Harman laid into them.

George Knox ● 5932d

Where I do have a problem with the budget is that no new funds were made for the police.With huge numbers likely to lose employment, and with those on jobseekers projected to lose 10% of their dole money after 12 months, then I submit there will be further pressure on crime increasing.We need to see more police and less PCSOs unless their legal powers are increased. Are you listening Councillor Bell?

George Knox ● 5932d

Why should we, the low paid in the public sector, have to pay for the cavalier attitude of the banks? Whose employees are still awarding themselves large salaries and bonuses! A 2 year pay freeze for the public sector. At least 25% cut off Departmental budgets. Benefits to be cut, including housing benefit,forcing more people off disability living allowance, a three-year freeze to child benefit and cuts to tax credits. I think it stinks.

Chris Hurley ● 5932d

I had to take a pay cut and accept a 2 year pay freeze to keep my job and I think it's fair public sector workers do the same.  I'm glad the personal allowance has increased and it's a shame child benefit wasn't scrapped for wealthier families.  Hopefully the benefit cuts will encourage people to go back to work.  If it means sweeping the streets or stacking supermarket shelves, so be it.

Maria Michaels ● 5932d

You have an alternative strategy? Labour would have introduced a sharp set of cuts as well. They would have hurt.I have just seen what appears to be a proposal to cut HB by 10% for those who have been on Jobseekers for 12 months - in addition to my previous comments in this thread.The Liberals and the labour parties are going to have to oppose these 10% cuts if they don't want street sleepers.

George Knox ● 5932d

Maria - street sweepers are employed by the public sector - there will be no jobs like this available. And have you tried to get a job in a supermarket lately - there are none.

Chris Hurley ● 5932d

What am I going to do with all this extra money? Extra personal allowance,no rate increase and also extra pension to bring up to my earnings when I worked. I think I am living in a dream world.

Mavis Walker ● 5931d

I disagree with the rise in VAT.  It will hit the poor and it is an unfair tax.I think the decision to cut the benefits of mums once the child is able to go to school may not be that effective as the mum may just have another child.  A more courageous step may be in future to stop benefits after the third child.

Alice Jones ● 5930d

I know people who managed to find a job in supermarkets this month. There are jobs available in various sectors, admittedly not well paid, but better than nothing. As to VAT if you can't afford something, do without.  Most people have had to tighten their belts and if you can afford to drink, smoke and have hoards of kids then you'll have to decide where your priorities lie.  I'm fed up subsidising child benefit and working tax credits.  Shame the Government didn't have the courage to abolish child benefits and tax credits altogether.  People should be means tested and not automatically given benefits, regardless of income.

Robert Williams ● 5928d

I am a public sector worker and I am working really hard and have worked over the weekend for about 12 hours unpaid. Why is it fair for me to have a pay freeze for 2 years when my actions have not damaged the economy/country. I used to to work for the Halifax Building Society in the 80's. Under Thatcher the de-regulation of the Financial services caaused all the problems we have today. The Halifax Plc had to be bailed out after being one of the most sound financial institutions.I now have to work 'til 66 or 70 if I am lucky enough to hang on to my job. It is a joke.

Jean Heaphy ● 5927d

I now read that despite the paltry levy on banks of 0.07%, the banks will probably recoup this with Corporation tax reducing by 4%.Ho hum

George Knox ● 5926d

Who actually noticed that much of a change when the VAT was reduced.  It certainly didn't make me richer, so how is the increase going to make me any poorer?  The argument doesn't make sense.The new increase will add approximately £12.00 to a TV worth £500.  If you can afford to spend £500 on a TV then I'm sure the extra £12.00 isn't going to make a difference.  If you can't afford the TV because of the extra £12.00 then maybe you can't really afford it at all.

Sarah Harris ● 5926d

I agree Sarah.

Maria Michaels ● 5926d