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Brown prepares downbeat Budget
Chancellor Gordon Brown is facing the prospect of again being forced to downgrade his predictions for the UK economy as he unveils his seventh Budget on Wednesday.
Brown may announce increase in borrowing
Analysts say Mr Brown will have to admit predictions for growth announced last November were too optimistic. There is also speculation he may be forced to announce another increase in public borrowing.
Mr Brown will begin his Budget speech at 1230 BST (1130 GMT) on Wednesday, three hours earlier than usual after the reform of House of Commons working hours.
The chancellor is expected to point to the uncertainty created by the Iraq conflict as one reason for cutting his growth predictions. He is also likely to blame the struggling global economy, particularly in the eurozone, falling tax revenues and a slowdown in spending.
In his November pre-Budget report, Mr Brown was forced to revise earlier growth predictions, saying he expected 2.5% to 3% growth this year and 3% to 3.5% in 2004.
But independent analysts are expecting this year's figure to be between 1.9%-2.4%, and 2.4%-2.6% in 2004.
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I wait with bated breath to see what happens
Chancellor Gordon Brown is facing the prospect of again being forced to downgrade his predictions for the UK economy as he unveils his seventh Budget on Wednesday.
Brown may announce increase in borrowing
Analysts say Mr Brown will have to admit predictions for growth announced last November were too optimistic. There is also speculation he may be forced to announce another increase in public borrowing.
Mr Brown will begin his Budget speech at 1230 BST (1130 GMT) on Wednesday, three hours earlier than usual after the reform of House of Commons working hours.
The chancellor is expected to point to the uncertainty created by the Iraq conflict as one reason for cutting his growth predictions. He is also likely to blame the struggling global economy, particularly in the eurozone, falling tax revenues and a slowdown in spending.
In his November pre-Budget report, Mr Brown was forced to revise earlier growth predictions, saying he expected 2.5% to 3% growth this year and 3% to 3.5% in 2004.
But independent analysts are expecting this year's figure to be between 1.9%-2.4%, and 2.4%-2.6% in 2004.
more
I wait with bated breath to see what happens
S2N said: Applicants must be goodlooking and rich enough to keep me in the lifestyle I have been acustomed too
i
Packet of fags a week and a mk3 capri to run to the shops and back, do you love? Oh and all the sky you can watch... :Puttingbestfatmanslacksonandtuckingbellyintounderpants(freshlyreversedtohidestainsofcourse):
* Cigarettes go up by 8p per pack of 20
* Car tax will go up by inflation but lorry and motorbike tax remains the same
* Mr Brown said that fuel duty rises would be frozen until October
* There would be a 4p increase in duty on wine and 1p on beer but freezing all duties on spirits
* Mr Brown pledged to target crime by helping young offenders straight into work as they left prison and provide training while they are detained
* From next April people taking on jobs will not be required to submit new housing benefit claims
* Mr Brown said funds would be provided for training, travel and particular measures to help Britain's ethnic minorities into work
>> Edited by mrs fish on Wednesday 9th April 13:10
* Car tax will go up by inflation but lorry and motorbike tax remains the same
* Mr Brown said that fuel duty rises would be frozen until October
* There would be a 4p increase in duty on wine and 1p on beer but freezing all duties on spirits
* Mr Brown pledged to target crime by helping young offenders straight into work as they left prison and provide training while they are detained
* From next April people taking on jobs will not be required to submit new housing benefit claims
* Mr Brown said funds would be provided for training, travel and particular measures to help Britain's ethnic minorities into work
>> Edited by mrs fish on Wednesday 9th April 13:10
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