Re the deliciousness of pigs: There is an Italian chocolate cake called "Sanguinaccio" which is made with pig's blood - a sort of Chocolatey Black Pudding though with LOTS of chocolate.
It is utterly delicious and can be found at some Italian restaurants in Soho.
How will the £1,000 tax free savings interest work for basic rate taxpayers (and higher rate taxpayers below £100k pa who don't, thusfar, get sent a tax return)? Either banks will simply not deduct tax on anybody's interest (meaning the above mentioned who do earn more than £1k in interest have to fill in a tax return), or they will continue at 20% (meaning everyone then has to claim it back, to the limit of their eligibility)?
Isn't this a logistical nightmare just unleashed?
Why not scrap all tax on savings?
Why would you need to submit a tax return when that is being pretty much abolished? Presumably it would work by the exact same way the tax return has been abolished, automated submissions to HMRC. I'd hazard a guess that the banks by default don't charge tax, send automatically to HMRC using your NI number the value of interest paid. Once £1000 is reached HMRC send an automated message back to start charging tax again.
Its how automatic submissions for income taxes and NI work, why wouldn't it work with interest?
Steve Fisher retweeted Fraser Nelson @FraserNelson 2m2 minutes ago Growth was good last year, will be okay in years to come. But overall? The slowest recovery in history #Budget2015
Prof Fisher says slowest recovery in history
Try again. A large chunk of the economy was destroyed by the recession. A large chunk Brown thought was permanent and could be milked was destroyed by his incompetence.
All recessions destroy value in the economy. Then the economy recovers, usually quite quite quickly.
This one is the exception. Osborne is the exception.
Try again - you only demonstrate how clueless you are. We had a massive structural deficit. One which turned out to be even bigger than expected. The banking sector was shrunken significantly and at the same time because of both domestic and international requirements the banks had to repair their balance sheets, increase their reserves rather than lend. All thanks to Gordon Brown and the Labour Party.
Looks like Osborne has gone for neutering opposition attack lines on the Tories, and spreading around benefits to marginal Tory seats in the SW, Wales and the North. Presumably to give them something from the long-term economic plan to sell to constituents.
A few expected tweaks to ISAs, pensions and tax allowances. National insurance simplification will help with jobs.
Most interesting what he didn't annouce: he's left an awful lot of extra cash/spending room for election commitments by reducing the cuts from £50bn to £30bn, and the 2019/20 surplus down from £23bn to £7bn.
Presumably neutralising the "back to the 30s" line, which IIRC was rounding anyway?
Would like some explanation of how you get rid of the annual tax return.
Me too...
The statement seems a bit meh in general - lots of small things but I doubt if anyone will remember much by next week. Arguably he'd have been better advised to go for one major thing rather than 1p off beer etc.
You mean you won't be able to argue that it's a political budget and point to one measure that sounds big?
Alastair Cook (capt, Essex), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Gary Ballance, Joe Root (both Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Jos Buttler (wk, Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (wk), Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett (all Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Mark Wood (Durham), James Tredwell (Kent)
No Tymal Mills for example.
Tredwell has hardly played 4 day cricket over past 2 seasons and been c##p when he has.
Plunkett never test match bowler. Been tried and tried and isn't good enough.
I'm not sure either. But it is not an election losing budget. It shows the economy is moving along and is under control. The government have not dropped the ball.
How will the £1,000 tax free savings interest work for basic rate taxpayers (and higher rate taxpayers below £100k pa who don't, thusfar, get sent a tax return)? Either banks will simply not deduct tax on anybody's interest (meaning the above mentioned who do earn more than £1k in interest have to fill in a tax return), or they will continue at 20% (meaning everyone then has to claim it back, to the limit of their eligibility)?
Re the deliciousness of pigs: There is an Italian chocolate cake called "Sanguinaccio" which is made with pig's blood - a sort of Chocolatey Black Pudding though with LOTS of chocolate.
It is utterly delicious and can be found at some Italian restaurants in Soho.
Alastair Cook (capt, Essex), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Gary Ballance, Joe Root (both Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Jos Buttler (wk, Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (wk), Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett (all Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Mark Wood (Durham), James Tredwell (Kent)
No Tymal Mills for example.
Tredwell has hardly played 4 day cricket over past 2 seasons and been c##p when he has.
Plunkett never test match bowler. Been tried and tried and isn't good enough.
A squad with Yorkshiremen is anything but uninspiring.
£12.2bn increase in capex over the next period, £23.2bn increase in departmental spending as well, backed by reductions welfare spending and increased tax take.
Alastair Cook (capt, Essex), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Gary Ballance, Joe Root (both Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Jos Buttler (wk, Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (wk), Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett (all Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Mark Wood (Durham), James Tredwell (Kent)
No Tymal Mills for example.
Tredwell has hardly played 4 day cricket over past 2 seasons and been c##p when he has.
Plunkett never test match bowler. Been tried and tried and isn't good enough.
A squad with Yorkshiremen is anything but uninspiring.
And given the County's contribution to jobs growth!
I'm not sure either. But it is not an election losing budget. It shows the economy is moving along and is under control. The government have not dropped the ball.
At least our friends on the Left can't say we are being swivel-eyed pom-pom shakers about this Budget...!
The look on Vince's face with the £10 with the Tories comment.
Vince couldn't even bring himself to nod let alone smile during PMQs when the PM described the employment situation. I mean he's business secretary so he should at least have acknowledged it, perhaps even be happy about it.
Alastair Cook (capt, Essex), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Gary Ballance, Joe Root (both Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Jos Buttler (wk, Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (wk), Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett (all Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Mark Wood (Durham), James Tredwell (Kent)
No Tymal Mills for example.
Tredwell has hardly played 4 day cricket over past 2 seasons and been c##p when he has.
Plunkett never test match bowler. Been tried and tried and isn't good enough.
A squad with Yorkshiremen is anything but uninspiring.
And given the County's contribution to jobs growth!
I said yesterday, if Yorkshire doesn't get Full Fiscal Autonomy/Devolution, we will see UDI within 30 years.
I'm not sure either. But it is not an election losing budget. It shows the economy is moving along and is under control. The government have not dropped the ball.
At least our friends on the Left can't say we are being swivel-eyed pom-pom shakers about this Budget...!
Seems pretty clear what Labour's GE strategy is going to be. Make stuff up that sounds that the Tories are going to do nasty stuff and just repeat endlessly.
I seemed to remember the only party at the last GE that was going to cut NHS spending was Labour. Imagine what state it would be in now if they had?
I actually thought both GO and EdM did pretty good jobs there. The VAT thing is a very smart move from Labour as the Tories do have form on that. Ensuring they are asked about their plans on VAT constantly during the GE campaign makes sense.
Did I hear Ed mention VAT in his reply, despite no mention of it in the budget?
Yes - he has to try and raise bogeymen even if non exist.
Of course if GO has failed to mention VAT and there are changes, then Dave had better start cancelling the letting agreement on his other property - two kitchens or not.
Crap move on LTA cut Crap to review Deed of Variations - seemingly to dig at Ed ISA changes welcome but waffly Savings interest = buttons, but 20% more of buttons. Ed M = gave good rebuttal too.
Didn't watch the Budget. Concerned about the change to the tax return, though. I'm used to the annual paper version. There's an option to do it online already. I don't want to do it online, frankly.
given interest rates, that must cost the Treasury all of £2.50 next year.
Indeed. It will be a very welcome policy and encourage saving, but cost basically nothing to implement.
It's expected to cost £1bn in 2016-17 according to the Treasury.
Encouraging saving is a good thing, but it's a minority of the country who have enough income to save more than their ISA allowance anyway, and so only that minority will benefit.
A reasonable Budget I think. Not that gimmicky really in pre-election terms, his hands being tied by his failure to really deliver what he promised in 2010.
But will it change the polls, really?
Hm, I have my doubts. The Tories need UKIP's share to collapse in order to win/stay in power.
Nothing in this Budget does that (or was ever likely to).
So my verdict - Ed becomes PM in 7 weeks. As was ever likely thus.
A 'steady as you go' budget is politically and economically exactly correct, given that things are going so well.
The election hinges on whether voters are daft enough to throw it all away.
Yep, agree that it was a very smart budget - a giveaway would have been a very bad idea. That said, it does remind me of the one Ken Clarke delivered just before the 97 election.
Your second point is moot if a lot of voters do not feel there is anything to throw away.
A reasonable Budget I think. Not that gimmicky really in pre-election terms, his hands being tied by his failure to really deliver what he promised in 2010.
But will it change the polls, really?
Hm, I have my doubts. The Tories need UKIP's share to collapse in order to win/stay in power.
Nothing in this Budget does that (or was ever likely to).
So my verdict - Ed becomes PM in 7 weeks. As was ever likely thus.
I guess that gives the Tory campaign seven weeks to save Britain then.
Just checking the Personal Savings Allowance detail - he suggested £1000 Savings Allowance, which assuming that you are a higher (but not additional rate) taxpayer is £2,500 of Gross Income - at current rates of (say) 2% this equates to £125k of savings. Is my maths correct there or have I missed something?
Concerned about the change to the tax return, though. I'm used to the annual paper version. There's an option to do it online already. I don't want to do it online, frankly.
There will still be the option to turn in a paper assessment even once the fully on-line, real time self assessment system is introduced.
Your second point is moot if a lot of voters do not feel there is anything to throw away.
Indeed, they might not. They will have an unpleasant surprise in that case.
On your Ken Clarke 1997 comparison: Yes, but there is one absolutely huge difference. Blair, Mandelson and Brown had put an enormous effort into ensuring that they looked ready to govern and were not hostile to business and to prosperity. Ed Miliband has done the opposite.
Didn't watch the Budget. Concerned about the change to the tax return, though. I'm used to the annual paper version. There's an option to do it online already. I don't want to do it online, frankly.
I felt the same way - but as a currently non-resident taxpayer I am obliged to. I'm now a convert. It's very easy. Populate the boxes, click a button, see your tax liability before you send, send.
A reasonable Budget I think. Not that gimmicky really in pre-election terms, his hands being tied by his failure to really deliver what he promised in 2010.
But will it change the polls, really?
Hm, I have my doubts. The Tories need UKIP's share to collapse in order to win/stay in power.
Nothing in this Budget does that (or was ever likely to).
So my verdict - Ed becomes PM in 7 weeks. As was ever likely thus.
I guess that gives the Tory campaign seven weeks to save Britain then.
Given the record of this Government and previous ones on major IT procurements, I had to laugh at the abolition of paper tax returns, and the setting up of 55 million Individual Tax Accounts with HMRC - a process starting in 2016, to be completed by 2020.
Yeah right, pull the other one George!
Presumably it will now fall to Chancellor Balls to oversee the letting of this contract and its implementation. Bet he's happy about that...
Didn't watch the Budget. Concerned about the change to the tax return, though. I'm used to the annual paper version. There's an option to do it online already. I don't want to do it online, frankly.
I felt the same way - but as a currently non-resident taxpayer I am obliged to. I'm now a convert. It's very easy. Populate the boxes, click a button, see your tax liability before you send, send.
It's certainly got the potential to be quite a detailed change. It sounded more than "do your tax return online" but rather "there will be new ways to populate your tax return throughout the year, of necessity digital since we can't fill in bits of paper automatically"
Just checking the Personal Savings Allowance detail - he suggested £1000 Savings Allowance, which assuming that you are a higher (but not additional rate) taxpayer is £2,500 of Gross Income - at current rates of (say) 2% this equates to £125k of savings. Is my maths correct there or have I missed something?
Details to be seen but he specifically said the cap was £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers and £500 for higher rate payers.
How the banks are supposed to know what to do here... well...
Your second point is moot if a lot of voters do not feel there is anything to throw away.
Indeed, they might not. They will have an unpleasant surprise in that case.
You don't think Bibi's stunning victory last night is (sort of) good news for Dave ?
Or is Israeli polling/elections just far too different - Lebo-Norpoth would probably have predicted that election better than the opinion polls though given Netanyahu's good ratings and the slightly underwhelming ones of Herzog.
Given the record of this Government and previous ones on major IT procurements, I had to laugh at the abolition of paper tax returns, and the setting up of 55 million Individual Tax Accounts with HMRC - a process starting in 2016, to be completed by 2020.
Yeah right, pull the other one George!
Presumably it will now fall to Chancellor Balls to oversee the letting of this contract and its implementation. Bet he's happy about that...
It isn't like HMRC aren't already a shambles and have been for 10+ years.
You don't think Bibi's stunning victory last night is (sort of) good news for Dave ?
Or is Israeli polling/elections just far too different - Lebo-Norpoth would probably have predicted that election better than the opinion polls though given Netanyahu's good ratings and the slightly underwhelming ones of Herzog.
I'm not sure there's any direct read-across, but it's a useful reminder that elections don't always end up as the polls indicate.
Didn't watch the Budget. Concerned about the change to the tax return, though. I'm used to the annual paper version. There's an option to do it online already. I don't want to do it online, frankly.
I felt the same way - but as a currently non-resident taxpayer I am obliged to. I'm now a convert. It's very easy. Populate the boxes, click a button, see your tax liability before you send, send.
It's certainly got the potential to be quite a detailed change. It sounded more than "do your tax return online" but rather "there will be new ways to populate your tax return throughout the year, of necessity digital since we can't fill in bits of paper automatically"
You can already do your tax return online, can't you? I know that I did in the past.
Crap move on LTA cut Crap to review Deed of Variations - seemingly to dig at Ed ISA changes welcome but waffly Savings interest = buttons, but 20% more of buttons. Ed M = gave good rebuttal too.
So that's 0/3 then for Spurs, ICM and Budget.
With Arsenal going out last night it is 1/4 for you.
Am I right in thinking than Spurs have gone further in the champions league than Arsenal have in the last five years?
If you are a lisping gimp you are a lispng gimp. Not alot Ed can do about that. It's who he is.
It's pretty unfair on Ed, but there's something in that. Trouble is he compounds the stereotype by sounding so wonkish in his language, tone and style.
A big advantage Cameron has is that he just looks and sounds the part.
You don't think Bibi's stunning victory last night is (sort of) good news for Dave ?
Or is Israeli polling/elections just far too different - Lebo-Norpoth would probably have predicted that election better than the opinion polls though given Netanyahu's good ratings and the slightly underwhelming ones of Herzog.
I'm not sure there's any direct read-across, but it's a useful reminder that elections don't always end up as the polls indicate.
Check your inbox - there is a betting idea off the back of that.
Mr. Patrick, thanks for that post, it's somewhat reassuring.
That said, I still don't want to be compelled. And, leaving aside my own luddite nature, I don't think forcing people to use electronic/online means of payment generally is acceptable. People should be able to opt out of the internet without being cut off from basic necessities [in the same way, even though I dislike getting cheques, banning them (as proposed) would've been despicable].
Lots of people love all new tech, lots take a less enthusiastic approach, and some dislike it entirely. There should always be an offline option.
I sat next to someone at supper last night who is not a fan of politicians as a whole.
But he said George had popped over for lunch last week and was really very impressive. Absolutely on top of his brief and everyone else's as well: and really answered the questions, thoughtfully and in detail. He was very very impressed.
...He then contrasted him explicitly with a number of other (former) Cabinet rank politicians who we both knew very well... decidedly in George's favour.
/trollalanbrooke
Bankers think George is great, no surprise, they don't actually work for a living.
But when Richard Nabavi says Osborne is a failure, then you know the Tories are struggling
Many of my friends are bankers and they work longer hours than anyone I know.
I assume the rest of your friends are retired or under seven.
Just checking the Personal Savings Allowance detail - he suggested £1000 Savings Allowance, which assuming that you are a higher (but not additional rate) taxpayer is £2,500 of Gross Income - at current rates of (say) 2% this equates to £125k of savings. Is my maths correct there or have I missed something?
I linked to the fact sheet downthread. The £1000 allowance is the interest, not the tax you would pay on that interest, so if you receive £1000pa in interest on your savings (of £50k assuming 2% interest rate) then Osborne has saved you £200 that you would have paid in tax on that.
Adam Boulton @adamboultonSKY 16m16 minutes ago Hounslow, London COMMENT EM keeps it short and delivers his best Budget reply, better speech than GO - for what that's worth.
Wow if Boulton who usually comes over as a massive Tory is saying that shows how some people on here really need to get real.
Watched the budget- first time for many years. Good performances by Osborne and Miliband, both have upped their games considerably. I can see why Cameron doesn't want to debate Miliband- Miliband's composure and ability to get out his soundbites was really quite good even though he got a bit shouty at times.
The Tory and Labour camps will walkaway reasonably happy
Didn't watch the Budget. Concerned about the change to the tax return, though. I'm used to the annual paper version. There's an option to do it online already. I don't want to do it online, frankly.
I felt the same way - but as a currently non-resident taxpayer I am obliged to. I'm now a convert. It's very easy. Populate the boxes, click a button, see your tax liability before you send, send.
It's certainly got the potential to be quite a detailed change. It sounded more than "do your tax return online" but rather "there will be new ways to populate your tax return throughout the year, of necessity digital since we can't fill in bits of paper automatically"
You can already do your tax return online, can't you? I know that I did in the past.
Done my last few returns on-line. A really straight forward system. I wait to see the details about the replacement system, but my initial reaction is one of caution.
Mr. Patrick, thanks for that post, it's somewhat reassuring.
That said, I still don't want to be compelled. And, leaving aside my own luddite nature, I don't think forcing people to use electronic/online means of payment generally is acceptable. People should be able to opt out of the internet without being cut off from basic necessities [in the same way, even though I dislike getting cheques, banning them (as proposed) would've been despicable].
Lots of people love all new tech, lots take a less enthusiastic approach, and some dislike it entirely. There should always be an offline option.
Mr Dancer, you only have until 31st Oct to fill in a paper return, but doing it online you have until 31st January of the following year.
Ed's telling a lie about people being worse off under this Govt., in spite of numbers given by the Chancellor. Maybe he just couldn't re-write his script whilst on his feet.....
Didn't watch the Budget. Concerned about the change to the tax return, though. I'm used to the annual paper version. There's an option to do it online already. I don't want to do it online, frankly.
I felt the same way - but as a currently non-resident taxpayer I am obliged to. I'm now a convert. It's very easy. Populate the boxes, click a button, see your tax liability before you send, send.
It's certainly got the potential to be quite a detailed change. It sounded more than "do your tax return online" but rather "there will be new ways to populate your tax return throughout the year, of necessity digital since we can't fill in bits of paper automatically"
You can already do your tax return online, can't you? I know that I did in the past.
Oh yes. At the moment you essentially fill out a digital version of your paper return. From the sound of it Osborne wants people like small businesses to upload data in real time (or multiple times a year) from, say, accounts or payroll. For individuals it's a little harder to see, though.
@SouthamObserver OMG!.....you mean they lied? Never mind, I am sure they kept all their other promises, and there will be plenty of evidence to support this.
George goes for a bore-fest and Ed does conspiracy theory. I expect there's a store of babies waiting to be consumed.
In 2010, the Labour literature here was certain that the Tories would cut bus passes and fuel allowances and reduce the NHS to a token service. At least, cuts too unspeakable to be spoken makes a change
Just checking the Personal Savings Allowance detail - he suggested £1000 Savings Allowance, which assuming that you are a higher (but not additional rate) taxpayer is £2,500 of Gross Income - at current rates of (say) 2% this equates to £125k of savings. Is my maths correct there or have I missed something?
Details to be seen but he specifically said the cap was £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers and £500 for higher rate payers.
How the banks are supposed to know what to do here... well...
The banks stop collecting tax on savings entirely. It's up to you to pay any tax due on the tax return that you no longer have to complete.
Adam Boulton @adamboultonSKY 16m16 minutes ago Hounslow, London COMMENT EM keeps it short and delivers his best Budget reply, better speech than GO - for what that's worth.
Wow if Boulton who usually comes over as a massive Tory is saying that shows how some people on here really need to get real.
Dave has seriously pissed off Sky News over the whole debate thing. Check Burley/Boulton twitter feeds.
Adam Boulton @adamboultonSKY 16m16 minutes ago Hounslow, London COMMENT EM keeps it short and delivers his best Budget reply, better speech than GO - for what that's worth.
Wow if Boulton who usually comes over as a massive Tory is saying that shows how some people on here really need to get real.
Adam Boulton who is married to Anji Hunter - Tony Blair's director of Government Relations ?
Lots of people love all new tech, lots take a less enthusiastic approach, and some dislike it entirely. There should always be an offline option.
Agree - but over time most will find it easier online. Young people get older! I now pretty much only bank online, change currency online, buy gold online, do my tax online - but with the occasional phone call to sort something out. Those who can't or won't join the 21st century certainly shouldn't be obliged to.
Ed's telling a lie about people being worse off under this Govt., in spite of numbers given by the Chancellor. Maybe he just couldn't re-write his script whilst on his feet.....
Comments
It is utterly delicious and can be found at some Italian restaurants in Soho.
Its how automatic submissions for income taxes and NI work, why wouldn't it work with interest?
My heart bleeds for you, Nick, it really does...
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/datasets-and-tables/data-selector.html?cdid=IHXT&dataset=ukea&table-id=X11 (current)
Alastair Cook (capt, Essex), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Gary Ballance, Joe Root (both Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Jos Buttler (wk, Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (wk), Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett (all Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Mark Wood (Durham), James Tredwell (Kent)
No Tymal Mills for example.
Tredwell has hardly played 4 day cricket over past 2 seasons and been c##p when he has.
Plunkett never test match bowler. Been tried and tried and isn't good enough.
The government have not dropped the ball.
"From April 2016 banks and building societies will stop automatically taking 20% in income tax from the interest earned on your non-ISA savings"
The idea turned my stomach, but she assured me I was missing a treat.
I remain to be convinced.
There is also no doubt that EdM is simply not up to the job.
Not sure I understand ed_miliband's interpretation of table 2.4 of red book, which shows less austerity than autumn statement #budget2015
Austerity? I think not.
Actually EdM is comically bad. Is he drunk? Did he not sleep last night? Is something else up? Very strange.
It's as if they literally have nothing else.
It's bizarro conspiracy stuff worthy of Alex Jones AKA Owen Jones.
Did I hear Ed mention VAT in his reply, despite no mention of it in the budget?
I seemed to remember the only party at the last GE that was going to cut NHS spending was Labour. Imagine what state it would be in now if they had?
I reckon a retired dead police horse will feature shortly
https://youtu.be/T3jIE3b-bhY
Of course if GO has failed to mention VAT and there are changes, then Dave had better start cancelling the letting agreement on his other property - two kitchens or not.
Crap to review Deed of Variations - seemingly to dig at Ed
ISA changes welcome but waffly
Savings interest = buttons, but 20% more of buttons.
Ed M = gave good rebuttal too.
So that's 0/3 then for Spurs, ICM and Budget.
"Did I hear Ed mention VAT in his reply, despite no mention of it in the budget? "
Didn't the Tories mention VAT before the last election? I seem to remember something, but it was probably unimportant.
Didn't watch the Budget. Concerned about the change to the tax return, though. I'm used to the annual paper version. There's an option to do it online already. I don't want to do it online, frankly.
Encouraging saving is a good thing, but it's a minority of the country who have enough income to save more than their ISA allowance anyway, and so only that minority will benefit.
But will it change the polls, really?
Hm, I have my doubts. The Tories need UKIP's share to collapse in order to win/stay in power.
Nothing in this Budget does that (or was ever likely to).
So my verdict - Ed becomes PM in 7 weeks. As was ever likely thus.
I was interested to hear EdM mention a Tory VAT rise to balance the books. I think this will be a Labour theme.
Your second point is moot if a lot of voters do not feel there is anything to throw away.
I guess that gives the Tory campaign seven weeks to save Britain then.
On your Ken Clarke 1997 comparison: Yes, but there is one absolutely huge difference. Blair, Mandelson and Brown had put an enormous effort into ensuring that they looked ready to govern and were not hostile to business and to prosperity. Ed Miliband has done the opposite.
They are in the budget book
Ed even gave you the page and table numbers
please keep up
Yeah right, pull the other one George!
Presumably it will now fall to Chancellor Balls to oversee the letting of this contract and its implementation. Bet he's happy about that...
How the banks are supposed to know what to do here... well...
Or is Israeli polling/elections just far too different - Lebo-Norpoth would probably have predicted that election better than the opinion polls though given Netanyahu's good ratings and the slightly underwhelming ones of Herzog.
I can't remember what happened....But I am sure someone will remind us all, and possibly with full colour video.
Am I right in thinking than Spurs have gone further in the champions league than Arsenal have in the last five years?
A big advantage Cameron has is that he just looks and sounds the part.
https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budget2015FilmPosters?src=hash
'Yes - they had no plans to put it up before the last election and no plans to put it up before the 92 election. Guess what happened after both.'
A bit like New Labour having no plans to increase National Insurance,Council Tax or Income tax.
That said, I still don't want to be compelled. And, leaving aside my own luddite nature, I don't think forcing people to use electronic/online means of payment generally is acceptable. People should be able to opt out of the internet without being cut off from basic necessities [in the same way, even though I dislike getting cheques, banning them (as proposed) would've been despicable].
Lots of people love all new tech, lots take a less enthusiastic approach, and some dislike it entirely. There should always be an offline option.
COMMENT EM keeps it short and delivers his best Budget reply, better speech than GO - for what that's worth.
Wow if Boulton who usually comes over as a massive Tory is saying that shows how some people on here really need to get real.
The Tory and Labour camps will walkaway reasonably happy
Done my last few returns on-line. A really straight forward system.
I wait to see the details about the replacement system, but my initial reaction is one of caution.
what a muppet.
OMG!.....you mean they lied?
Never mind, I am sure they kept all their other promises, and there will be plenty of evidence to support this.
George goes for a bore-fest and Ed does conspiracy theory. I expect there's a store of babies waiting to be consumed.
In 2010, the Labour literature here was certain that the Tories would cut bus passes and fuel allowances and reduce the NHS to a token service. At least, cuts too unspeakable to be spoken makes a change
And compulsion is another problem.
Yes massive Tory..