UK Pre-Budget 2004 - Economy
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Brown bullish on economy as stage set for election
Gordon Brown, the UK chancellor, told parliament he remained confident he would meet his economic rules on borrowing as he delivered his pre-Budget report to parliament.
Chris Giles: Brown treads fine line on fiscal rules
The argument over the golden rule in this economic cycle has not been moved on much in this pre-Budget report and there remain serious doubts about the ease of balancing the books over the medium term.
Chancellor's optimism raises doubt on reform programme
Gordon Brown's decision to stick to his guns and leave unchanged his above-consensus forecast for economic expansion next year was met with incredulity.
Conservatives accuse Brown of 'alchemy in reverse'
Gordon Brown had chose to "slide over the inconvenient facts" of the public finances the Tories said in response to the pre-Budget report.
Spending on elderly 'will be more than forecast'
Public spending on pensions and long-term care for the elderly will rise faster in future decades than previous forecasts have suggested, according to the Treasury.
Chancellor to consult market on 50-year gilts
The chancellor is to consult the market on the possibility of issuing 50-year gilts, and what demand there would be for both conventional and index-linked gilts, and for annuity-type gilts of both categories.
Muted market response to chancellor’s statement
Prices of UK gilts fell following the announcement by Gordon Brown, the chancellor, of borrowing needs to cover public finances in his annual pre-Budget report.
