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02/12/2004
Chancellor delivers positive pre-budget report
Chancellor Gordon Brown announced the details of his pre-Budget report today, as well as assuring MPs of Britain's sustained economic growth.
Mr Brown confirmed a freeze on petrol duty, a £1bn package to avoid big Council Tax rises and a significant increase in anti-terror spending. He said that this year's economic growth target of 2.5% had been achieved and referred to it as the "longest period of sustained growth in Britain's industrial history".
Borrowing was predicted to reach £34bn in 2004/2005 and £33bn in 2005/06, compared with figures of £33bn and £31bn forecast respectively in March's budget. Inflation is projected to rise to 1.75% next year and 2% in the years to follow.
Although government policy dictates that fuel duty is raised in line with inflation each year to fulfill environmental commitments, Mr Brown said that in view of the 'volatility of the oil market' this year fuel prices would remain frozen.
An extra £105m will be allocated towards security and counter terrorism measures.
Along with the pre-budget report the government released details of a ten-year strategy for childcare. Additional funding will be made available to ease the financial burden on parents and make childcare more 'universal', specifically targeting parents of three and four year old children. Extended daycare will be made available to all children between the ages of five and fourteen. There are also plans being drawn up to extend paid maternity leave to twelve months.
Also included is a package of measures to provide additional skills training for those with no basic qualifications at GCSE or equivalent level.
(mmcg/sp)
Mr Brown confirmed a freeze on petrol duty, a £1bn package to avoid big Council Tax rises and a significant increase in anti-terror spending. He said that this year's economic growth target of 2.5% had been achieved and referred to it as the "longest period of sustained growth in Britain's industrial history".
Borrowing was predicted to reach £34bn in 2004/2005 and £33bn in 2005/06, compared with figures of £33bn and £31bn forecast respectively in March's budget. Inflation is projected to rise to 1.75% next year and 2% in the years to follow.
Although government policy dictates that fuel duty is raised in line with inflation each year to fulfill environmental commitments, Mr Brown said that in view of the 'volatility of the oil market' this year fuel prices would remain frozen.
An extra £105m will be allocated towards security and counter terrorism measures.
Along with the pre-budget report the government released details of a ten-year strategy for childcare. Additional funding will be made available to ease the financial burden on parents and make childcare more 'universal', specifically targeting parents of three and four year old children. Extended daycare will be made available to all children between the ages of five and fourteen. There are also plans being drawn up to extend paid maternity leave to twelve months.
Also included is a package of measures to provide additional skills training for those with no basic qualifications at GCSE or equivalent level.
(mmcg/sp)
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03 December 2004
Blair supports Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report
During a speech in Edinburgh today the Prime Minister praised Gordon Brown for creating an economically stable Britain. His comments came as the Chancellor told a BBC4 radio programme that his spending plans were 'affordable', although he could not rule out tax increases.
Blair supports Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report
During a speech in Edinburgh today the Prime Minister praised Gordon Brown for creating an economically stable Britain. His comments came as the Chancellor told a BBC4 radio programme that his spending plans were 'affordable', although he could not rule out tax increases.
05 December 2005
Chancellor slashes UK growth prediction
The Chancellor blamed a bad year for the UK economy as he cut the forecast of UK growth to 1.75% for the year-end. In March, a more upbeat Gordon Brown had predicted UK economic growth of 3-3.5%, but the revised figures were a more 2-2.5% and 2.75-3.25% for 2007.
Chancellor slashes UK growth prediction
The Chancellor blamed a bad year for the UK economy as he cut the forecast of UK growth to 1.75% for the year-end. In March, a more upbeat Gordon Brown had predicted UK economic growth of 3-3.5%, but the revised figures were a more 2-2.5% and 2.75-3.25% for 2007.
02 December 2004
Extra skills training to be offered to workers in England
In his pre-budget report, the Chancellor has announced that workers in England who have no basic qualifications or skills training under their belt will be offered additional skills training.
Extra skills training to be offered to workers in England
In his pre-budget report, the Chancellor has announced that workers in England who have no basic qualifications or skills training under their belt will be offered additional skills training.
26 November 2008
Pre-Budget Bolsters 'Brown Bounce'
The radical pre-Budget report, published earlier this week, appears to have bolstered Gordon Brown's charge on the opposition in the opinion polls. Figures released today, suggest the Prime Minister has continued to close in on the gap currently being enjoyed by the Tories.
Pre-Budget Bolsters 'Brown Bounce'
The radical pre-Budget report, published earlier this week, appears to have bolstered Gordon Brown's charge on the opposition in the opinion polls. Figures released today, suggest the Prime Minister has continued to close in on the gap currently being enjoyed by the Tories.
31 August 2007
Talks Take Place In Prison Officer Pay Dispute
Talks are taking place today between the leaders of the Prison Officers' Association (POA) and Justice Minister Jack Straw in a pay dispute, which resulted in a surprise strike on Wednesday. The surprise strike action, involving thousands of staff from 140 jails in England and Wales, took place on Wednesday morning.
Talks Take Place In Prison Officer Pay Dispute
Talks are taking place today between the leaders of the Prison Officers' Association (POA) and Justice Minister Jack Straw in a pay dispute, which resulted in a surprise strike on Wednesday. The surprise strike action, involving thousands of staff from 140 jails in England and Wales, took place on Wednesday morning.
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