You've probably noticed that we're gearing up for the Pre-Budget Report today, so it seemed like a good time to start a thread exploring what members are looking for from today's report.
Are you backing the so-called 50% bank bonus tax? A couple of members have predicted a rise in alcohol and fuel duties - where do you stand on this?
Do you think this Pre-Budget Report will make a difference?
You can follow our live coverage of the chancellor's speech here, and comment below.
Replies (14)
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I am expecting bad news
Nobody at Westminster or in Whitehall seems to have any glimmer of understanding about how small business works.
If they had then they wouldn't make people's lives so difficult.
Small buisness is the backbone of the economy. They had better be careful that they don't add the last straw.
No more boom & bust ??????????????????//
As expected - more tax - more spin - more false predictions.
A blatant attempt to con the public into voting for them.
Brown said - "no more boom & bust" - well he was right - from now on its permanent BUST.
I had glazed over
and then heard -
'No more changes to income tax - apart from what will be tax deductible'.....
Yep -
Mr Speaker, I have decided against any further changes to income tax rates or thresholds next year, except for some changes in what can be tax-deductible.
So what, in the name of our fair tax system, can he mean by that!
Did anyone spot any surprises? I didn't!
Gina
No, not really. Even the half % NIC rise was no surprise.
Osbourne was a revelation though. How can he blame the world recession on the UK government? Is he an imbecile?
petrol
VAT goes down from 17.5 to 15. and petrol duty is increased to compensate "because its green".
VAT goes back up to 17.5, and does he take off his "adjustment" - of course not.
Another steal tax introduced through the back door.
B.Adder
Yep -
Mr Speaker, I have decided against any further changes to income tax rates or thresholds next year, except for some changes in what can be tax-deductible.
So what, in the name of our fair tax system, can he mean by that!
Posted by B Adder on Wed, 09/12/2009 - 13:54
Duck houses and moats ??????????????????????????????????????????
Devil in the detail
The one-off tax on bank bonuses will no doubt court public opinion. But why is it a one-off? If excessive bonuses have led to the banking crisis then surely an ongoing attack on them (at least to get funds in for any future bail-out) would be more sensible. Also, how is bonus going to be defined. I can't help thinking a lot of leading tax brains are even now working out ways to call these something that falls outside the definition of "bonus" As far as I can see, the only likely beneficiaries of thsi are those of us that provide tax planning to the banking sector. As a government fund-raising measure it's a bit of a lame duck (house?)
CGT
The CGT silence is deafening. Is there anything tucked away in the notes? Or maybe he is planning to throw in a rate increase in the budget to make sure no one has time to do anything before 5/4/10.
No real choice
What's noticeable about the three main parties is the similarity in their basic approach. Each one has a little tweak to offer - the odd percentage p[oint of NIC or CT, a few thou on the IHT threshhold - but actually they are all going the same way.
They all have to reduce the deficit, otherwise UK loses its AAA rating and we're all screwed. They all propose a mix of a tax hike and a public services wedgie. Anyone got any better ideas? Thought not.
Is not the truth, and the reason for this uniformity of approach, that the world economy dictates to us? We are completely locked in to the EU, G8, G20, Global Warning Conference etc. We don't have any real independence, and neither does any other country with the possible exception of USA and China. So it's right to say that Osborme was off the mark. Nothing that any UK government could have done - whether led by G Brown, D Cameron, [LibDem bloke whose name I can't be bothered to remember] or even N Griffin - would have made much real difference.
This country is still the 6th largest economy in the world, I think. We may not think of ourselves as wealthy, but in world terms we are. Most of us have a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. So spare a thought and a few quid for those less lucky, and 'KBO' as Churchill put it.
There's no real choice.
FUDGE IT
In the PB R Mr Darling avoided the point that there is a gross undershoot in cuirrent year tax collections. The tax authorities must have to recover this as their forecasts say they will. The obvious and painful solution would appear in my view to be VAT at variable rates including 20%. UK has held out for over a year on this but with borrowing rising to near 80% of G D P we cannot contniue without greater tax take and there are no industries making money.
Enjoy this christmas it may be the last for a while that we can sort of afford.