Changes announced in 2008 Budget

12 March 2008

Chancellor Alistair Darling today announced the 2008 Budget adding big increases to duty on alcohol and cars with high emissions.

Below are some of the key changes to be implemented:

Cars, fuel and road pricing

• 2p increase in fuel duty (but postponed until October 2008
• Major reform of vehicle excise duty
• For new cars from 2010, the cars that produce the least pollution will not have to pay road tax in the first year. Cars which pollute more will pay more road tax

Travel

• Introduction of ‘biometric’ technology in airports to decrease the time it takes to go through security checks
• Increase in green tax charged on flights

Environment

• £26m to go towards making homes greener

Gas and electricity

• The five million customers on pre-payment meters should get a “better deal”.
• Energy companies should spend £150m on social tariffs
• Increase in winter fuel payment to £250 for the over-60s and to £400 for the over-80s

Savings

• “Savings Gateway” will be launched by the government in 2010
• New Cash ISA tax-free savings allowance confirmed to be £3600 from April 5 2008-03-12

Alcohol (by Sunday)

• 4p added on a pint of beer
• 3p on a litre of cider
• 14p on a bottle of wine
• 55p on a bottle of spirits
• Duties up by 2% over inflation for the next four years

Tobacco

• 11p on a packet of cigarettes from 1800 GMT
• 4p on five cigars

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