THE BUDGET

How has this affected you?

I note the inland revenue will now 'Name & Shame' anyone caught withholding info that leads to withholding £. Hrm... now what to I put on my tax return!

I see petrol has been hit again with 2p a litre rise from September.

Will you be worse off?

Yes, I have no kids, I smoke, Drink and drive a car (not at the same time!)
So yet again the pocket has been hit!

I don't quite get the concept of name and "shame". If a tradesman tells me that he'll do a job for £250, or £180 off the books, I'll take the off the books option every time and feel absolutely no shame about it. If the said tradesman gets done for dodgy tax returns and it leads back to me, why should I feel any shame for his actions? It might have escaped the Inland Revenue's notice, but they're ones who get a salary for ensuring taxes are paid in full and on time...

The increase in fuel duty won't hit me yet, seeing as I don't drive, but within a month bus fares will have gone up again; meaning I'll have to pay a fiver if I want a return ticket from the supermarket two and a half miles away from the village I live in.

Will the wife and I be worse off? I've yet to see a budget that ensures the lot of childless couples under 50 improves.... Not that I'm cynical or anything!

They can put up the price of tobacco and beer in a matter of hours, but when it comes to MP's expenses it takes a year long debate and then a vote to try to change it.......lying, thieving charlatans.