UK Budget 2008 - Personal finance
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Personal allowances increased with inflation
Non-drinking, non-smoking, non-driving pensioners taking their wicker baskets to the shops have been characterised as the obvious winners in a Budget big on ‘sin’ and green taxes
Boost for investors in start-ups
Investors in start-up companies received a boost from the chancellor when it was announced that from April tax relief on up to £500,000 could be obtained from enterprise investment schemes (EISs)
Child poverty goal ‘unlikely to be hit’
There was a blow on Thursday for the government’s aim on child poverty even after Alistair Darling devoted what money he could spare to poor families
Chances rise for deal on US non-doms
American citizens who pay a proposed £30,000 levy on non-domiciles living in Britain should not be subject to double taxation by the US authorities, the UK Treasury believes
Narrow band wins in tax shift
Middle income individuals earning between £40,040 and £41,435 in 2008/9 will see a reduction to just 21 per cent in their marginal rate of tax and National Insurance, it emerged
One-off rise in fuel payment cheers elderly
Pensioners received some good news in the Budget with the announcement of a higher winter fuel payment alongside the relaxation of a rule governing small pension pots.
Darling takes no prisoners over loopholes
The decision to defer controversial plans curbing income shifting in family-run businesses until 2009 will come as a relief to many small company owners, but the chancellor showed far less leniency towards other forms of tax avoidance.
Homebuyers left without a welcome mat
The chancellor failed to provide any concrete help for first-time homebuyers in the Budget as he left stamp duty thresholds unchanged and did little to stem rapidly rising mortgage costs
Car drivers at forefront of moves to penalise polluters
"Chelsea tractors" will not be a status symbol for much longer in this country if Alistair Darling has his way. But some accountants argue that well-heeled Britons perusing the new models in car showrooms will be unlikely to avoid these vehicles in favour of environmentally-friendly alternatives, in spite of the chancellor's efforts to encourage them to do so.
Savers keep pace with shifting tax goalposts
Next month marks the start of the 10th year of individual savings accounts, a further opportunity for putting up to £7,200 (increased from £7,000) out of the clutches of the taxman
