Presumably the changes in income tax thresholds from 2017 mean that the Government will profit from creeping increases in the current year.
The Guardian said in passing "Headline rate of capital gains tax cut from 28% to 20%." but I can't see that in the BBC budget summary. Seems a big announcement - is that right, and from when?
Otherwise all a bit meh, perhaps inevitably in the current climate.
"all a bit meh".. but nothing compared to the pile of shit your party left on the doorstep. Osborne has to navigate a difficult path. He does not have a magic money tree that Labour seemed to think was there to provide unlimited money.
Well, that was interesting. Just waiting for the docs to appear but on the face of it I can't yet work out where the money comes from. Reasonably significant cuts in income tax for anyone <£100k (and possibly above, depends on how the >£100k band adjustments work) with no corresponding pick up on higher earners. CGT cut. Free money for rich people with ISAs. Corporation tax cut, duties frozen.
I can't immediately see a sugar tax and interest deductibility restrictions covering the cost of those measures. What am I missing?
In the meantime, looking like mortgaging up and cycling 40kpa through ISAs is a good way of getting lots of presents from that nice Mr Osborne...
I'm scratching my head too....
I missed the 'interest deductibility restrictions' announcement.
Was this for corps?
Surely that would raise a huge amount if so....
He's not making up for it. After years of screwing the poor, he is now indulging in unfunded tax cuts. Its a short term pre-election giveaway for someone else to deal with the long term after Ozzy is gone.
So not a cut for the fairly wealthy, more the very wealthy and those entrepreneurs who mucked up their structuring so they don't qualify for entrepreneurs' relief...
Well, that was interesting. Just waiting for the docs to appear but on the face of it I can't yet work out where the money comes from. Reasonably significant cuts in income tax for anyone <£100k (and possibly above, depends on how the >£100k band adjustments work) with no corresponding pick up on higher earners. CGT cut. Free money for rich people with ISAs. Corporation tax cut, duties frozen.
I can't immediately see a sugar tax and interest deductibility restrictions covering the cost of those measures. What am I missing?
In the meantime, looking like mortgaging up and cycling 40kpa through ISAs is a good way of getting lots of presents from that nice Mr Osborne...
I'm surprised that he froze fuel duty. Current prices are so low that he could have plucked another pennyworth of feathers from the goose without much squealing.
The Guardian said in passing "Headline rate of capital gains tax cut from 28% to 20%." but I can't see that in the BBC budget summary. Seems a big announcement - is that right, and from when?
That is correct - was heard in silence so not sure if it sank in to the listeners - some exclusions for which it remains at 28% (I think property). I'm not sure from when.
Yes, I see the Telegraph summary has it too, and the standard rate is down similarly. Interesting for me - winding up a family company so will save us £15,000, if confirmed. Osborne bids for the Labour ex-MP vote .
I'm surprised that he froze fuel duty. Current prices are so low that he could have plucked another pennyworth of feathers from the goose without much squealing.
But he has an election coming up, so sod fiscal responsibility.
I thought Corbyn was better than I expected. Showing a bit of passion at least. Fairly unstructured though and most of it isn't actually referring to the budget
I'm surprised that he froze fuel duty. Current prices are so low that he could have plucked another pennyworth of feathers from the goose without much squealing.
To return to EU matters for a moment, you may recall that the EU agreed in September 2015 to relocate 160,000 asylum seekers from Italy and Greece, to assist them in dealing with the pressures of the refugee crisis.
I thought Corbyn was better than I expected. Showing a bit of passion at least. Fairly unstructured though and most of it isn't actually referring to the budget
Aren’t the opposition given advance notice of the budget speech, albeit that morning?
Corbyn’s reply seems to bare no relation to what was just announced, Ed Balls used to do the same IIRC.
The speech is available to MPs as the Chancellor stands up, and to the public as he sits down, but I think there's an embargoed copy left with the LotO's office in the morning.
It's a very difficult job to respond as his speech is being written and revised for him while the Chancellor is still speaking, but Corbyn might as well have written this last week for the complete lack of relevancy to what the Chancellor actually said in the House!!
Aren’t the opposition given advance notice of the budget speech, albeit that morning?
Corbyn’s reply seems to bare no relation to what was just announced, Ed Balls used to do the same IIRC.
No, I'm fairly sure they aren't - that's why responding to it is such a terrible job and almost invariably done badly, in a manner that barely engages with what was said. I don't remember the last good response to a budget and I think I've watched the last 20.
Edit: Note from Wikipedia that his appointment to the DC Circuit by Clinton in 1995 was held up by the Republican-Controlled Senate until after the 1996 Elections. A sign of difficulties to come?
Aren’t the opposition given advance notice of the budget speech, albeit that morning?
Corbyn’s reply seems to bare no relation to what was just announced, Ed Balls used to do the same IIRC.
One hour's notice in a private room, as I recall. It's the most difficult speech in politics for that reason - unless you're exceptionally acute and spot a hole, it's best to stick mostly to prepared material.
The Guardian said in passing "Headline rate of capital gains tax cut from 28% to 20%." but I can't see that in the BBC budget summary. Seems a big announcement - is that right, and from when?
That is correct - was heard in silence so not sure if it sank in to the listeners - some exclusions for which it remains at 28% (I think property). I'm not sure from when.
Yes, I see the Telegraph summary has it too, and the standard rate is down similarly. Interesting for me - winding up a family company so will save us £15,000, if confirmed. Osborne bids for the Labour ex-MP vote .
Well, his pitch for the Conservative ex-MP vote is looking a bit iffy.
To be fair to Corbyn, didn't Dave completely miss Brown's 10 pence tax clanger in one of his budget responses? Clegg got it instead, thanks to Cable. That was a shocker.
Obama is trying to compromise with the unreasonable Republicans. As they say they won't confirm anyone, he is saying "fine, how about I pick someone for a much shorter term". But it won't work. They still won't confirm anyone, and then Clinton will have to pick same compromise candidate but only if she wins. So Dems will still have same risk, but with less reward. Big mistake here.
Rather annoyingly work has kept me away this afternoon but a quick skim of the headlines suggests this was a rather duller budget than had been promised with a lot less gloom and doom about it.
Lots of relatively little changes and 1 big one which is the limitation on the debt interest companies can set against tax. This has been the favourite way of foreign corporations wiping out their UK profits so it is welcome for that reason alone but over time it should also encourage UK companies to have lower debt levels and more equity which is probably a good thing.
The increase in borrowing (again) was disappointing as is the lack of an immediate response to it. It seems to be "oh well, carry on" which does not come close to addressing the urgency of the situation. The chances of us even getting Brown's deficit down to zero, let alone paying any of it back before the next downturn are disappearing fast. There will be a price to pay for that one day.
One last thought. If Corbyn did not exist would there be any reason to invent him?
So cuts for the disabled funded by CGT cuts for the wealthy. Poor.
That's what I heard too. The Chancellor also mentioned focussing the money on those most severely disabled, which sounds fair. As a guess that means that more of those on 'the sick' but capable of work are being told to go and get a job, hence the howls of anguish.
Obama is trying to compromise with the unreasonable Republicans. As they say they won't confirm anyone, he is saying "fine, how about I pick someone for a much shorter term". But it won't work. They still won't confirm anyone, and then Clinton will have to pick same compromise candidate but only if she wins. So Dems will still have same risk, but with less reward. Big mistake here.
But you are overlooking that Clinton might well be working with a Democratic Senate.
So cuts for the disabled funded by CGT cuts for the wealthy. Poor.
Even if that is true and I will check the facts when they are released there is no reason to slash CGT to paltry levels when we still have such a large current account deficit.
Obama is trying to compromise with the unreasonable Republicans. As they say they won't confirm anyone, he is saying "fine, how about I pick someone for a much shorter term". But it won't work. They still won't confirm anyone, and then Clinton will have to pick same compromise candidate but only if she wins. So Dems will still have same risk, but with less reward. Big mistake here.
But you are overlooking that Clinton might well be working with a Democratic Senate.
No, I'm not. Thats even more reason for picking a more liberal candidate.
To be fair to Corbyn, didn't Dave completely miss Brown's 10 pence tax clanger in one of his budget responses? Clegg got it instead, thanks to Cable. That was a shocker.
Yeah, its a tough gig. But he was still just irrelevant.
So cuts for the disabled funded by CGT cuts for the wealthy. Poor.
Even if that is true and I will check the facts when they are released there is no reason to slash CGT to paltry levels when we still have such a large current account deficit.
Cutting CGT encourages investment in businesses which create jobs, that will reduce the deficit.
Obama is trying to compromise with the unreasonable Republicans. As they say they won't confirm anyone, he is saying "fine, how about I pick someone for a much shorter term". But it won't work. They still won't confirm anyone, and then Clinton will have to pick same compromise candidate but only if she wins. So Dems will still have same risk, but with less reward. Big mistake here.
But you are overlooking that Clinton might well be working with a Democratic Senate.
No, I'm not. Thats even more reason for picking a more liberal candidate.
I guess the intent is to make the Republicans appear maximally unreasonable in the run up to the election.
Obama is trying to compromise with the unreasonable Republicans. As they say they won't confirm anyone, he is saying "fine, how about I pick someone for a much shorter term". But it won't work. They still won't confirm anyone, and then Clinton will have to pick same compromise candidate but only if she wins. So Dems will still have same risk, but with less reward. Big mistake here.
But you are overlooking that Clinton might well be working with a Democratic Senate.
No, I'm not. Thats even more reason for picking a more liberal candidate.
Ah sorry, misread your argument. But I don't think it follows that Clinton has to re-pick Garland (regardless of Senate control). She'll be her own President and entitled to her own pick. Perhaps she might reward Loretta Lynch?
Aren’t the opposition given advance notice of the budget speech, albeit that morning?
Corbyn’s reply seems to bare no relation to what was just announced, Ed Balls used to do the same IIRC.
One hour's notice in a private room, as I recall. It's the most difficult speech in politics for that reason - unless you're exceptionally acute and spot a hole, it's best to stick mostly to prepared material.
Ed Milliband went so far as to give the same response twice.
The ability to use the bonus for housebuying or pension buying is useful and means it is helpful to a wider income spectrum, but does seem a bit of a confused policy objective: surely you should incentivise long term (quasi-pension) and medium term (homebuying) saving in separate pots, not together? Plus the idea of allowing borrowing against the pot effectively allows those with greater sophistication/creditworthiness/cashflow flexibility to get the incentive without behaving in line with the policy objective.
So cuts for the disabled funded by CGT cuts for the wealthy. Poor.
Even if that is true and I will check the facts when they are released there is no reason to slash CGT to paltry levels when we still have such a large current account deficit.
Cutting CGT encourages investment in businesses which create jobs, that will reduce the deficit.
Yes but the previous rates were set at the level designed to maximise revenue while not acting as a disincentive to invest. A trim to 15% and 25% would have been fine - however this is just a giveaway to people who are already rich.
Impressive selection of "tax cuts for the rich" rolling out now (lifetime ISA is for those with surplus cash during an age bracket where anyone not already wealthy is desperately trying to afford a house).
You and I have very different ideas as to who is wealthy or rich.
I think those who have 20k+ spare cash a year, and those who are paying material amounts of CGT, can reasonably be defined as rich. Other definitions are available - where would you place "rich"?
Does anyone know what brought about the change whereby nowadays it is the Deputy Speaker who takes the Chair for the Budget Speech? Until the early 1970s- when Anthony Barber was Chancellor - the Speaker remained in the Chair.
Impressive selection of "tax cuts for the rich" rolling out now (lifetime ISA is for those with surplus cash during an age bracket where anyone not already wealthy is desperately trying to afford a house).
You and I have very different ideas as to who is wealthy or rich.
I think those who have 20k+ spare cash a year, and those who are paying material amounts of CGT, can reasonably be defined as rich. Other definitions are available - where would you place "rich"?
Does anyone know what brought about the change whereby nowadays it is the Deputy Speaker who takes the Chair for the Budget Speech? Until the early 1970s- when Anthony Barber was Chancellor - the Speaker remained in the Chair.
The BBC mentioned that the senior Deputy Speaker took charge of the proceedings as he was head of the Ways and Means Committee that scrutinises finances - had not heard that explanation before.
I'm surprised that he froze fuel duty. Current prices are so low that he could have plucked another pennyworth of feathers from the goose without much squealing.
Fuel is just below £1pl in many stations - increasing the duty would have led to a psychological price increase.
"Ladbrokes shares are up 7%, William Hill is up 4.7% and Paddy Power Betfair has advanced 1.7%."
Healthy profits from Budget Buzzword Bingo markets!?! (And LCFC fans cashing out early)
FOBTs
Another thing that is a social evil that affects poor people disproportionately... rather than educate Im sure soon the govt will tax it, and soon the money earned through that tax will be so vast that they say they cant do without it
Prevention is better than a cure
Drugs will be legal and taxed soon, and the tax revenue will be used as the justification for more people being harmed by drugs.. maybe we can legalise theft and tax the robbers? Legalise contract killing and tax the murderers?
To return to EU matters for a moment, you may recall that the EU agreed in September 2015 to relocate 160,000 asylum seekers from Italy and Greece, to assist them in dealing with the pressures of the refugee crisis.
To date, just 937 have actually been relocated.
An excellent example of how the EU is able to quickly react to the significant problems it faces. It is success stories like this which demonstrate why we need to remain in the EU.
Does anyone know what brought about the change whereby nowadays it is the Deputy Speaker who takes the Chair for the Budget Speech? Until the early 1970s- when Anthony Barber was Chancellor - the Speaker remained in the Chair.
The BBC mentioned that the senior Deputy Speaker took charge of the proceedings as he was head of the Ways and Means Committee that scrutinises finances - had not heard that explanation before.
Yes that has been so for over 40 years now, but when I have consulted Hansard to read Budget Speeches from the 1960s delivered by Roy Jenkins, Selwyn Lloyd etc the Speaker of the day did not vacate the Chair.
To return to EU matters for a moment, you may recall that the EU agreed in September 2015 to relocate 160,000 asylum seekers from Italy and Greece, to assist them in dealing with the pressures of the refugee crisis.
To date, just 937 have actually been relocated.
An excellent example of how the EU is able to quickly react to the significant problems it faces. It is success stories like this which demonstrate why we need to remain in the EU.
Obama is trying to compromise with the unreasonable Republicans. As they say they won't confirm anyone, he is saying "fine, how about I pick someone for a much shorter term". But it won't work. They still won't confirm anyone, and then Clinton will have to pick same compromise candidate but only if she wins. So Dems will still have same risk, but with less reward. Big mistake here.
But you are overlooking that Clinton might well be working with a Democratic Senate.
No, I'm not. Thats even more reason for picking a more liberal candidate.
Ah sorry, misread your argument. But I don't think it follows that Clinton has to re-pick Garland (regardless of Senate control). She'll be her own President and entitled to her own pick. Perhaps she might reward Loretta Lynch?
But then she can't hammer Republicans for not confirming Garland.
The ability to use the bonus for housebuying or pension buying is useful and means it is helpful to a wider income spectrum, but does seem a bit of a confused policy objective: surely you should incentivise long term (quasi-pension) and medium term (homebuying) saving in separate pots, not together?
I think this is intended to address the problem that people don't save into pensions because they see them as inflexible and the payout too remote. That being the case, having a single pot rather than two pots is a better incentive.
Comments
Another shouty totally unrelated to previous speech response.
Jezza using a reheated speech from last year.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-capital-gains-tax-rates/changes-to-capital-gains-tax-rates
So not a cut for the fairly wealthy, more the very wealthy and those entrepreneurs who mucked up their structuring so they don't qualify for entrepreneurs' relief...
Higher gross wages (living wage) = lower tax credit payments
VAT has risen from £70bn to £111bn whilst he has been cutting tax rates and increasing allowances.
Notable how many Labour MPs are looking through Budget, rather than listening to/cheering Corbyn. #Budget2016
Every target missed by Osborne
Corbyn’s reply seems to bare no relation to what was just announced, Ed Balls used to do the same IIRC.
To date, just 937 have actually been relocated.
He rambles on about inputs as though that somehow equates to the standard of service or outputs.
I.e. Vote Remain and get this tasty tax cut next year; Vote Leave, and lose your job, house and get the clap
It's a very difficult job to respond as his speech is being written and revised for him while the Chancellor is still speaking, but Corbyn might as well have written this last week for the complete lack of relevancy to what the Chancellor actually said in the House!!
I feel him mentally prodding me sharply with his forefinger.
Edit: Note from Wikipedia that his appointment to the DC Circuit by Clinton in 1995 was held up by the Republican-Controlled Senate until after the 1996 Elections. A sign of difficulties to come?
Imagine the howls from Owls if Labours budget had been imposed as a result them winning in 2015.
I am getting more and more likely to vote leave the more crap Osborne and Mandleson spout re the dangers of BREXIT
The disabled are getting £1bn more IIRC.
The notion that someone substituting orange juice for Coke wouldn't be having a healthier diet is ludicrous.
[edit] Ditto Mr Palmer, thanks.
An obsessive need not only to control everything but to meddle in everything.
A 'Greater Lincolnshire Mayor' FFS.
Lots of relatively little changes and 1 big one which is the limitation on the debt interest companies can set against tax. This has been the favourite way of foreign corporations wiping out their UK profits so it is welcome for that reason alone but over time it should also encourage UK companies to have lower debt levels and more equity which is probably a good thing.
The increase in borrowing (again) was disappointing as is the lack of an immediate response to it. It seems to be "oh well, carry on" which does not come close to addressing the urgency of the situation. The chances of us even getting Brown's deficit down to zero, let alone paying any of it back before the next downturn are disappearing fast. There will be a price to pay for that one day.
One last thought. If Corbyn did not exist would there be any reason to invent him?
Cutting CGT encourages investment in businesses which create jobs, that will reduce the deficit.
So far, the dead sugar-cat is doing its job very nicely. #budget2016
Chris ITV
Sugar tax: " The levy is expected to raise £520 million in the first year." #budget2016
" Public sector net debt as a share of GDP will be 62 per cent this year, before peaking at 70 per cent in 2013-14.
Because of our action today, it then begins to fall, to 69 per cent in 2014-15 and then 67 per cent in 2015-16. "
Osborne 2016:
Debt forecast to be 82.6% 2016/17, 81.3% 2017/18, 79.9% 2018/19, 77.2% 2019/20, 74.7% 2020/21
Alan Roden
OBR: Oil revenues to turn NEGATIVE: Down from £11Billion to minus £10Million. https://t.co/01xAcIsegr
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/508193/HMT_Budget_2016_Web_Accessible.pdf
The ability to use the bonus for housebuying or pension buying is useful and means it is helpful to a wider income spectrum, but does seem a bit of a confused policy objective: surely you should incentivise long term (quasi-pension) and medium term (homebuying) saving in separate pots, not together? Plus the idea of allowing borrowing against the pot effectively allows those with greater sophistication/creditworthiness/cashflow flexibility to get the incentive without behaving in line with the policy objective.
Good to see some innovation here though.
https://twitter.com/jimwaterson/status/710107830091706368
Even when he hits on a worthwhile issue he's doesn't have anything constructive to say.
I miss these guys. We'd a couple who patrolled around Grey's Monument when I was a kid.
Healthy profits from Budget Buzzword Bingo markets!?! (And LCFC fans cashing out early)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_&_Lyle
Another thing that is a social evil that affects poor people disproportionately... rather than educate Im sure soon the govt will tax it, and soon the money earned through that tax will be so vast that they say they cant do without it
Prevention is better than a cure
Drugs will be legal and taxed soon, and the tax revenue will be used as the justification for more people being harmed by drugs.. maybe we can legalise theft and tax the robbers? Legalise contract killing and tax the murderers?
Welby’s staff ignored child sex abuse victim to save money http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article4714329.ece
Guido Fawkes @GuidoFawkes · 6m6 minutes ago
Nanny Osborne's Punitive, Regressive Sugar Tax Hits the Poor Hardest http://order-order.com/2016/03/16/nanny-osbornes-tax-on-the-poor/ …