UK Budget 2008 - Politics
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Special features
Budget to target ‘green’ and alcohol taxes
Alistair Darling, chancellor, will use his first Budget to raise costs for drivers of big cars and drinkers of wines and spirits, in an attempt to source more funds for the government’s fight against poverty
Negatives outweigh positives for Darling
A legacy that appeared almost as strong as the one Mr Brown had been handed 10 years earlier looks distinctly less golden – and not just because of global credit squeeze
Philip Stephens: Osborne trapped by Darling
So far the opposition’s nods and winks have escaped much scrutiny, as have the government’s very expensive mistakes, writes Philip Stephens
Fig leaves to hide fiscal nakedness
Alistair Darling accomplished a rare feat: he delivered a Budget that both Labour and Conservative parties believe could help win them the next general election
Labour backbenchers welcome 'dull' package
The fidgeting and yawning on the Commons benches behind Alistair Darling belied an air of satisfaction among Labour MPs with a "steady as she goes" Budget.
Clegg hits at raid on 'kitty of low earners'
Alistair Darling delivered a Budget driven by "political desperation" that was long on "padding" and "piecemeal reform" and short on meaningful measures to tackle climate change or poverty, according to the Liberal Democrats
Tories want millstone cast off
The Conservatives are focusing their pre-Budget fire on Mr Darling’s relations with business, which have been damaged by planned reforms
Darling strives to emerge from Brown shadow
When the chancellor rises to his feet on Wednesday to deliver his first Budget he will have even more on his mind than most newcomers to the job
Adviser heads big names beefing up No 10
Jennifer Moses, a former Goldman Sachs banker who did not notice when £1m was stolen from her bank account, will start work as a Downing Street adviser within days
Cameron blames downturn on No 10
The Conservatives focused their attack on the Budget on the government’s economic record, rather than any specific measures
