Budgetary Concerns

So, the 2010 Budget then…

• A “staggered” 3p rise in fuel tax – great, that just means the companies will add on 2 or 3p per rise, rather than one big rise. Overall it’ll mean about 10p on a litre, rather than the 5p that would’ve come from a 3p rise
• No stamp-duty for first-time house-buyers on houses <£250,000. – Big deal. The entire “first-time buyer” thing’s a bag of shit anyway in my experience. My “first-time buy” was nullified by the fact it was Herself’s second buy, so we couldn’t get any of the first-time buyer deals. Cunts.
• No changes to allowances on incomes <£100,000 – Well thanks a bundle for fuck-all.
• No other changes to VAT or income tax – that does surprise me, as a change to these would’ve been an almost certain vote-loser, and I’m still generally convinced that Labour want to lose this election, which’ll make the current shit-fest “the next person’s problem”. But then, I’m a cynic.
• Wine, beer and spirits up by 2% – Guess they’re not wanting us to drink our way out of recession then
• Tobacco tax up by 1% – Or smoke
• Cider duty up by 10% – Seriously? 10%? Guess Labour aren’t worried about the cider-drinking voters then.