Budget at-a-glance

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http://money.uk.msn.com/budget2008/arti ... id=7788831

ITN
March 12 2008

- From midnight on Sunday, alcohol duty rates to increase by 6 per cent above inflation: beer up 4p a pint, cider 3p a litre, wine 14p a bottle and spirits 55p a bottle.

- From 6pm today, cigarettes will go up by 11p for a packet of 20.

- From April 2010, no car tax will be paid in the first year on cars that emit less than 130 grammes per kilometre of CO2, with a higher first-year rate for the most polluting cars.

- Revenue from plane duty will be increased by 10 per cent because aircraft emissions are forecast to grow.

- Legislation to come into force in 2009 to impose a charge on plastic carrier bags if progress is not made on a voluntary basis.

- Growth and low inflation will be maintained, as the economy has expanded for a record ten years.

- Goals are to tackle climate change and wipe out child poverty.

- Turbulence which started in US has affected all markets worldwide. This poses "major risk" to world economies.

- Britain has maintained confidence in the UK banking system.

- Most stable economy in G7, with lower unemployment than France, Germany and Italy.

- Growth forecasts lowered worldwide, but British economy grew by 3 per cent, fastest of any economy.

- Growth forecast reduced to 1.75 per cent - 2.25 per cent.

- Inflation will rise before returning to 2 per cent target in 2009.


and another bit on another page: http://money.uk.msn.com/budget2008/arti ... id=7741125

Alistair Darling has given his first Budget as chancellor.

Here are the key points from his speech:

* Growth in the British economy will be between 1.75% and 2.25% this year and will rise to between 2.25% and 2.75% in 2009 and between 2.5% and 3% by 2010, chancellor Alistair Darling has predicted.
* Chancellor Alistair Darling has suspended a proposed 2p rise in duty on fuel until October.
* Darling says UK inflation will grow in 2009 and return to target thereafter, reaffirms Bank of England target of 2%
* Lower tariffs for pre-pay power meters
* Savings gateway project will be rolled out nationwide
* Child benefit rise to £20 for first child brought forward to April 2009
* Darling confirms "reasonable charge" for non-domiciled earners to contribute to UK taxes
* Keyworkers such as nurses and teachers can borrow up to 50% from new shared equity schemes, up from 25%.
* Darling: "Road pricing could reduce congestion and help our wider environmental problems" - he announced funds to test the technology.
* Shared ownership homes will be stamp duty exempt until the owner-occupier holds 80% equity.
* Darling says Treasury and finance industry to work together to ensure greater access to long-term fixed rate mortgages for 10, 20 or 25 years
* Charges on plastic carrier bags will be imposed next year if progress is not made by retailers on a voluntary basis, Darling has announced
* £26m fund to help houses become more energy efficient
* Tobacco - 11p added to a packet of 20 cigarettes and 4p on a packet of five cigars. Continue discount on VAT on smoking-cession products.
* Alcohol duty to rise by 2% above inflation for next four years
* Raising winter fuel allowance - £250 for over 60s, £400 for over 80s.
* Alcohol duty rates to increase by 6% above inflation: beer up 4p a pint, cider 3p a litre, wine 14p a bottle and spirits 55p a bottle
* Car tax: new bands introduced from 2009, adding a first-year rate. Low-emitting cars will pay no car tax for first year, the most polluting will be charged more.
* An increase in the Enterprise Investment Scheme's investor limit from £400,000 to £500,000 in any one tax year (subject to EU State Aid approval).
* An increase in the value of share options an individual can hold under the Enterprise Management Incentive scheme from £100,000 to £120,000.

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