The Budget 2008

Budget 2008: What will it mean for your finances?

Budget round-up

Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 12:03

Chancellor Alistair Darling has delivered an underwhelming first Budget with a revised forecast for economic growth and a handful of green measures. Read more

Personal tax changes at a glance

Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 11:59

The tax allowance changes made in today's Budget will be welcome news for the over-65s and parents. But what other changes were there? Nathalie Bonney takes a look. Read more

Darling scraps VAT on venture capital trusts

Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 11:53

Management fees on venture capital trusts and investment trusts will be exempt from VAT, Alistair Darling’s Budget has confirmed. Read more

Council tax rates to increase by over 5%

Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 11:54

Council tax bills are likely to increase by 5.1% in 2008/09 despite the government urging councils to keep increases substantially below this level. Read more

Government does u-turn on trust tax

Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 11:55

Alistair Darling has extended the deadline for interest in possession trusts to avoid inheritance tax. Read more

Tax-free pension loophole closed

By Sarah Modlock Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 11:56

The Budget has revealed that a loophole allowing pension funds to be passed on tax-free at death has been closed. Read more

Darling fails to take action over slowing housing market

Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 11:57

Alistair Darling’s Budget has failed to offer any immediate support to struggling home owners or first-time buyers despite the faltering property market and threat of negative equity. Read more

New tax-break on small pensions

By Rhian Nicholson Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 11:58

Retirees with very small amounts of money in occupational pension schemes will be able to take out up to £2,000 tax-free under new rules announced in today’s Budget. Read more

Cut your tax bill with charitable giving

Update: Fri, 14/03/2008 - 16:32

Charities will now be exempt from the 2% cut in income tax this April, meaning they can still claim gift aid on donations. Rebecca Atkinson looks at the most tax-efficient ways to give to charity. Read more

Budget 2008: six point case for investment bonds

By Sarah Modlock Update: Fri, 14/03/2008 - 10:34

The Budget confirmed the changes to capital gains tax for mutual funds. Sarah Modlock looks at the case for investment bonds. Read more

Budget offers little to encourage savers

Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 11:58

The financial services industry has expressed anger at the government’s failure to address our lack of long-term savings in this year's Budget. Read more

UK growth forecast cut

Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 12:00

Alistair Darling has cut the UK economy's growth forecast for this year in his inaugural Budget speech. Read more

Climate change not high enough on the chancellor's agenda

Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 12:01

Green measures played a fairly prominent role in the chancellor’s Budget, but critics say Alistair Darling hasn't gone far enough. Read more

Disappointing Budget for pensioners

Update: Thu, 29/05/2008 - 16:01

An increase to the winter fuel allowance isn't the right way to help pensioners who are struggling with bills, claims a charity. Read more

Government boosts child benefits

By Rhian Nicholson Update: Mon, 17/03/2008 - 12:04

Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced government plans for a £1.7 billion boost to eradicate child poverty by 2020. Read more

Just for laughs Budget quiz

By Rebecca Atkinson Update: Thu, 25/09/2008 - 16:32

The Budget is the only time that the chancellor is allowed to drink in the Chambers. But do you know whose tipple of choice was sherry and an egg? Test your knowledge of Budget facts and quirks with our Budget quiz. Read more