Budget 2008
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Page last updated at 14:50 GMT, Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Alistair Darling
Darling puts up car and drink tax
Chancellor Alistair Darling unveils big increases in tax on alcohol and high polluting cars in his first Budget.
At-a-glance: Budget 2008
Q&A: The Budget and you
Watch: Budget statement


VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
David Cameron Cameron says Budget 'makes things worse'

Budget 'punishes drinkers'
Budget hits gas guzzlers
Britain sizes up the Budget

BUDGET BASICS
Growth forecast cut to 2%
Admitted �43bn budget deficit next year, up �7bn
Higher green taxes and alcohol duties
�950 "showroom tax" for the most polluting cars
Business upset by increase in capital gains tax

LATEST NEWS
Cameron criticises 'dire' Budget
Budget 'a green cop out' - Clegg
Darling resists non-dom pressure
Budget measures target fuel poor
Benefit move to cut child poverty
Business happy at low-key Budget
Whisky duty dismays distillers

HOW ARE YOU AFFECTED?

Fingers tapping calculator

Budget calculator
BBC'S TOP TEAM BLOGS
For Alistair Darling, as for the rest of us, 2008-9 looks like being a hair-raising time
IN NUMBERS

Detail from budget deficit graph

The key stats

Anne RedstonSaints and sinners
Anne Redston reveals who wins and loses in the 2008 Budget
Exhaust pipe. Image: GettyGreen pound
What will Mr Darling's Budget do for the environment?
coupleModel families
How the budget is affecting typical families

GREEN TAXES

Motorway traffic Gas guzzlers set to face �950 tax
Drivers of gas guzzling and heavy polluting cars will face a new �950 tax from 2010, Alistair Darling announces.

ECONOMIC BACKGROUND

Sale sign Grim prospect for growth in UK
The chancellor cuts growth forecasts for this year and the next - and the budget deficit is set to grow sharply.

Q&A: Showroom tax
Table of new car tax rates
Economic woes and chancellors
BUDGET MEASURES

Alcohol Booze hike 'won't stop bingeing'
Public health chiefs welcome tax rises on alcohol, but say there is a way to go before it influences drinking habits.

National plan for savings scheme

�200m to boost GCSEs in schools

Alistair Darling and Gordon BrownStraight man
James Hardy's verdict on Alistair Darling's surprise-free Budget
Alistair Darling at Commons Have Your Say
What is your reaction to Budget 2008? Send us your views
MoneySweeping changes
Millions will be affected by more than 30 tax changes this April

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