Budget Call 2009

BBC Radio 4's Budget Call Thursday 23 April at 1204 BST On Radio 4 and Online Listen to the programme Programme transcript (39 pages)

The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, delivered his second Budget to Parliament on Wednesday.

In a surprise move he announced a new top tax rate of 50% for those earning more than £150,000 from next April.

Other measures included a rise to the annual limit for tax-free ISAs to more than £10,000 - to come in from 6 October 2009 for the over 50s; the stamp duty holiday for homes up to £175,000 is to be extended to the end of the year; and there will be more job help for the long term young unemployed.

The Budget comes as public finances have been damaged by the current recession - the chancellor announced bigger than expected borrowing of £175bn this year.

On Thursday 23 April, BBC Radio 4's Money Box and You and Yours programme teams joined together to answer your questions about what the Budget will mean for your finances.

Presenters Vincent Duggleby, Paul Lewis and Shari Vahl were joined by a panel of experts:

• Mike Warburton, senior tax partner at Grant Thornton
• Eddy Graham, Child Poverty Action Group
• Mark Dampier, Hargreaves Lansdown

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