Budget: Discussion Thread
BBC Two 11:30 to 15:00, BBC News channel, Radio 4 12:00 to 14:00, 5 Live 12:00 to 14:00,
Parliament TV
Twitter: #Budget2014.
Depending on your political slant, you might wish to follow the online running commentary at either the BBC, the Guardian or the Telegraph. I don't think the Mail do such things (maybe they do).
There's a whisper that Osborne has a surprise up his sleeve although that may just be wishful thinking. Labour appear to be leading with the 24 Tory Tax increases (Guido rather helpfully points out that the Bedroom Tax isn't included among them).
For me, the most interesting part of the day will be Ed Balls's reply. There's been more or less universal agreement that he's made a mess of the last two - this is his chance to re-establish some credibility. If he fails, I think there will be serious questions asked of him.
Parliament TV
Twitter: #Budget2014.
Depending on your political slant, you might wish to follow the online running commentary at either the BBC, the Guardian or the Telegraph. I don't think the Mail do such things (maybe they do).
There's a whisper that Osborne has a surprise up his sleeve although that may just be wishful thinking. Labour appear to be leading with the 24 Tory Tax increases (Guido rather helpfully points out that the Bedroom Tax isn't included among them).
For me, the most interesting part of the day will be Ed Balls's reply. There's been more or less universal agreement that he's made a mess of the last two - this is his chance to re-establish some credibility. If he fails, I think there will be serious questions asked of him.
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Comments
for the last few i've been annoyed by seeing a subtle and intelligent budget responded to by a performing sound bite monkey.
I also hate the way we have to go to a shopping center in barnsley and ask some old woman laden with shopping what she thinks of the budget...
'capital gains tax deferral relief for the enterprise investment scheme should be good for growth?'
'yes but my ****...'
I actually thought it was traditionally the shadow chancellor? it's just recently been miliband.
Well, I haven't noticed any subtle and intelligent budgets for 4 years, maybe you are referring to the ones in the Scottish parliament?
Maybe we'll get another attempt at introducing a pasty tax, and Dave will support it by announcing he bought a pasty from somewhere that doesn't exist. Will we look forward to more tax increases on profitable businesses, resulting in cancelled projects and loss of jobs again.
Most likely is that Osborne has realised it's blatant bribe time and will be acting like the smarmy con man he is.
I compare George Osborne to the hypnotist in Little Britain: "Look at the coin, don't look around the coin, look at the coin - you're under." *mumbles something about benefits* "3,2,1... you're back in the room".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB9lNaSog0Q
I would announce corporation tax cut to 15% over the five years from 2015 to 2020.
But what sort of sly underhanded political shysters would announce that sort of a "I dare you to change it" tax policy just before an election?
Oh I remember now:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8585059.stm
My instinct told me that Labour were rattled/worried when Osborne hinted about a £7 NMW. That did not happen. How does Osborne feel about that and does he agree with me that he probably really needed that? Because.... big business could create some difficult headlines for the Tories . Would you bet against a major company thinking that they can negotiate a pay deal this year which cuts pensions and possibly even pay?
I don't know what the whisper is that David Tee has mentioned. But I am having a wild guess at the target area.
Yup, you're right. Ball's turn comes tomorrow. Rats.
As long as I can remember it has always been the Leader of the Opposition who replies to budgets. The Shadow Chancellor does the Autumn Statement. The reason why is lost in the mists of time.
Ever since leaking of a Budget stopped being a resigning offence there are now 3 aspects to any Budget
1) What is leaked beforehand
2) What is in the speech
3) What is hidden in the detail in the published document.
I know that the economy is seen as the main determinant of a government's electoral chances but I think you can overstate it. Labour won it's landslide in 1997 during the start of an economic boom. The 2008 crash was the worst ever yet Labour were 15-20 seats from staying in government.
well that is my point. the budgets recently have not been headline grabbing, they have been subtle and designed to attract business investment. hence the fastest growing economy in europe.
the pasty tax is everything that is wrong with labour. it makes perfect sense, even you must agree that it is wrong that an independent chippy or jacket potato stall has to charge vat but FTSE listed greggs can pretend they don't sell hot food and not. labour know this too. but they find a two word slogan and use it to destroy a perfectly sensible policy.
I am asking you to consider this. Would Osborne have hinted at a £7+ NMW without considering it it was do-able for him? Probably not.
So here is the question, just for the hell of it. If the Tories announced the introduction of a National Living Wage* would that be the greatest game changer ever in the history of General Election campaigns??
* I am making an assumption that they could set the initial level wherever they damn well want and that the level outside London might be more than £7 but less than the Living Wage figure which has been banded around....
Just brilliant
i heard that. god knows what he means. expansion of the tax free savings vehicles i guess.
I wouldn't get too excited. Probably an increase in ISA limits but the Chancellor cannot do much about the current low interest rates.
Good news can win elections.
Maybe because he knows he doesn't have to reply to this and can watch his boss make a fool of himself.