The date for the budget has finally been announced; although we still wait with baited breath for the Election date! March 24th is the day when Alistair Darling (why does that name always make me smile and think of Blackadder!) will deliver his first budget. With the annual rate of borrowing expected to reach an all time high of £178 billion this year the pressure is on.
Speculation abounds – with rumours circulating (and being denied) of the rate of VAT rising to 20% in the summer; VAT on food (!) and a doubling of the price of cigarette to £10 per pack.
Roll on the 24th - it feels like waiting to go to the dentist – let’s just get it over with!
