The 2008 United Kingdom Budget, officially known as Budget 2008: Stability and opportunity: building a strong, sustainable future, was formally delivered by Alistair Darling in the House of Commons on 12 March 2008. It was the first Budget to be delivered by Darling, who had been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer the previous June.
Among the changes from the previous year were that taxes on alcohol, cigarettes and high-polluting cars would be increased. Child Benefit would be raised to £20 a week from April 2009; winter fuel payments for pensioners would also be increased. All long-term recipients of Incapacity Benefit would have to attend work capacity programmes from April 2010.
The growth of the national economy was expected to slow down to approximately 2% in 2008, down from 3% in the previous year.
Details Taxes
Receipts 2008-09 Revenues (£bn) Income Tax 160 National Insurance 105 Value Added Tax (VAT) 84 Corporate Tax 52 Excise duties 42 Council Tax 25 Business rates 24 Other 84 Total Government revenue 575
Spending Department 2008-09 Expenditure (£bn) Social protection 169 Health 111 Education 82 Debt interest 31 Defence 33 Public order and safety 33 Personal social services 27 Housing and Environment 23 Transport 21 Industry, agriculture and employment 22 Other 67 Total Government spending 618
Notes
External links
Complete Budget 2008 Report Speech delivered 12 March 2008 Tony Benn | People Before Profit | the Budget | 24 Nov 2008. Tony Benn speaking on the 2008 UK budget.