Darling poised for ‘green Budget’

Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling is set to deliver his first Budget to the House of Commons at 12.30pm today.

Darling, who has faced controversy and criticism since succeeding Gordon Brown last June, is expected to use his debut Budget to address concerns over the country’s dwindling economy and his own reputation.

The Chancellor is expected to announce his intention to impose higher taxes on the most polluting cars and air passenger flights in a bid to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions when he takes to the dispatch box.

Forecasters are predicting a new £2,000 ‘showroom tax’ to be levied on 4X4 vehicles, whilst an increase on alcohol is also likely amid growing anxieties over Britain’s binge drinking culture.

Meanwhile, a controversial 2p rise in fuel duty, which is due to come into effect on 1 April, is expected to be delayed for a further six months. Business groups had lobbied the Chancellor to scrap the proposed increase altogether, fearing that small enterprises will struggle to absorb the additional expense.

However, with an economic slowdown predicted, the Chancellor may downgrade growth forecasts, although he is likely to stress that Britain will remain ‘resilient’ in such troubling times.

There are many important provisions included within the Budget that fail to make the headlines; yet these may also affect you and your business. Visit our site today and tomorrow for a detailed summary of all the main announcements.