2030 Hrs GMT London Monday 10 November 2008:
KHOODEELAAR! exposing the latest display of ignorance and confusion on ‘economics’, by the experts exhoibited on the mainstream media [240]
KHOODEELAAR! He may have a barrell or two in his nomenclature but Professor ray Barrell was with scarcely any ray of enlightenment when he appeared on the BBC news channel, being interviewed by a surprisingly apt Joanne Gosling this evening [Monday 10 November 2008]....
Gosling looked positively puffed out at Ray Barrell’s successful evasion of her questions ...
She had wanted to know whatever had happened to Prudence! But Barrell was not about to give up... He kept his gun firmly in his grip and his ‘expert, professorial’ [allegedly] lips firmly shut about Prudence’s fate... failing in the process to justify the time he was being given on the licence-fee-payers’ news network! But then Channel 4 News [the edition that is still on air as KHOODEELAAR! publish THIS commentary] was no more able than Joanne Gosling at getting a coherent picture on the economy from ITS [Channel 4 News] ‘experts’. True that the pair Channel 4 News had as guests was no brighter than a couple of MPs...
They came across as being everywhere. This despite the fact the one of them, a former UK Finance Minister, no less, Ken Clarke even accurately said that Brown’s economic policy was confused. The other one, Peter MANDELSON’S FORMER LENDER Geoffrey Robinson, was even more confused.....
‘BACK’ in the House of Commons chamber during ‘economic debate’ there was wee Ruth Kelly making HER ‘contribution’ to the ‘economic debate’!
Whatever they may say, being a back bencher must offer a great deal of scope to reflect and even THINK! Kelly at least LOOKED relaxed. She almost put on a few smiles as she spoke. In contrast with the laboured [!!!! pun NOT intended] editions she had to wear up until a few weeks ago.…. As Crossrail minister in the cabinet fronted by Brown.… Kelly sounded as if she was relieved not to be in the cabinet... She was on a journey to being a human again.…..
[To be continued]
33rd year AADHIKAR
0225 GMT Thursday 06 June 2013
AADHIKAR Media Foundation Editor © Muhammad Haque
Founding News Editor
Shah M Azizul Haque
AADHIKAR Media Foundation established with the publication of AADHIKAR the weekly on Monday 19 December 1980 from London E1 UK.
Monday, November 10, 2008
KHOODEELAAR! REJECTING the display of Boris Johnson's ignorant backing for Big Business Crossrail: Ealing Times [239]
This page was last edited at 2020 GMT London Monday 10 November 2008
Muhammad Haque rebutted Boris Johnson, in the following comment as published on the Ealing Times web site
"
Your report, even assuming that it is based on spin and propaganda from Boris Johnson and the still ill-advised agents of Big Business Crossrail - is full of contradictions. This again shows that Crossrail is not the answer to transport needs of and in London. If they have to take away almost £3 billion from OTHER transport programmes then it goes without saying that Crossrail is ADDING to the transport problems of London. Look at Crossrail rationally. Once you do that, the fundamental flaws of this deeply crass ploy will become obvious. Scrap Crossrail. Save £16 Billion at 2008 prices.
"
Crossrail could benefit from Boris Johnson transport plan
5:30pm Thursday 6th November 2008
Comments (2) Have your say »
By Tristan Kirk »
A MULTI-million pound rail scheme has escaped being culled as the Mayor of London made drastic savings in the capital's transport budget.
Boris Johnson today scrapped proposals to build Thames Gateway Bridge, an extension to the Docklands Light Railway, and the cross river tram to streamline the capital's transport budget.
But Crossrail, set to cost 16bn and run through the heart of Hillingdon, remains unchanged and could even benefit from the cost cutting programme, which is designed to save Transport for London £2.4bn.
Announcing the new budget, Mr Johnson said: “We need to focus on the projects that deliver real benefits for Londoners, and let go of those that lack the funding for completion.
“I will not continue with the former Mayor’s unrealistic and hollow promises.
“The last administration's commitments amounted to billions of pounds worth of schemes that London could simply never afford.”
Although money will be made because of the cuts, it will be swallowed into existing budgets which are lacking funds, and Crossrail remains estimated to cost the same.
But Transport for London is confident today's announcement will mean the budget is less stretched and it will be in a better position to deliver Crossrail on time in 2017.
The project received a financial boost earlier this week when it was revealed airport operator BAA has pledged £230m to fund Crossrail, ensuring it will stop at Heathrow Airport.
The plans already includes stops in Hanwell, Acton, Ealing, West Ealing, and Southall.
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Muhammad Haque, London says...
2:17pm Fri 7 Nov 08
Your report, even assuming that it is based on spin and propaganda from Boris Johnson and the still ill-advised agents of Big Business Crossrail - is full of contradictions. This again shows that Crossrail is not the answer to transport needs of and in London. If they have to take away almost £3 billion from OTHER transport programmes then it foes without saying that Crossrail is ADDING to the transport problems of London. Look at Crossrail rationally. Once you do that, the fundamental flaws of this deeply crass ploy will become obvious. Scrap Crossrail. Save £16 Billion at 2008 prices.
REPORT THIS POST »
Muhammad Haque, London says...
2:21pm Fri 7 Nov 08
Your report, even assuming that it is based on spin and propaganda from Boris Johnson and the still ill-advised agents of Big Business Crossrail - is full of contradictions. This again shows that Crossrail is not the answer to transport needs of and in London. If they have to take away almost £3 billion from OTHER transport programmes then it goes without saying that Crossrail is ADDING to the transport problems of London. Look at Crossrail rationally. Once you do that, the fundamental flaws of this deeply crass ploy will become obvious. Scrap Crossrail. Save £16 Billion at 2008 prices.
REPORT THIS POST »
Muhammad Haque rebutted Boris Johnson, in the following comment as published on the Ealing Times web site
"
Your report, even assuming that it is based on spin and propaganda from Boris Johnson and the still ill-advised agents of Big Business Crossrail - is full of contradictions. This again shows that Crossrail is not the answer to transport needs of and in London. If they have to take away almost £3 billion from OTHER transport programmes then it goes without saying that Crossrail is ADDING to the transport problems of London. Look at Crossrail rationally. Once you do that, the fundamental flaws of this deeply crass ploy will become obvious. Scrap Crossrail. Save £16 Billion at 2008 prices.
"
Crossrail could benefit from Boris Johnson transport plan
5:30pm Thursday 6th November 2008
Comments (2) Have your say »
By Tristan Kirk »
A MULTI-million pound rail scheme has escaped being culled as the Mayor of London made drastic savings in the capital's transport budget.
Boris Johnson today scrapped proposals to build Thames Gateway Bridge, an extension to the Docklands Light Railway, and the cross river tram to streamline the capital's transport budget.
But Crossrail, set to cost 16bn and run through the heart of Hillingdon, remains unchanged and could even benefit from the cost cutting programme, which is designed to save Transport for London £2.4bn.
Announcing the new budget, Mr Johnson said: “We need to focus on the projects that deliver real benefits for Londoners, and let go of those that lack the funding for completion.
“I will not continue with the former Mayor’s unrealistic and hollow promises.
“The last administration's commitments amounted to billions of pounds worth of schemes that London could simply never afford.”
Although money will be made because of the cuts, it will be swallowed into existing budgets which are lacking funds, and Crossrail remains estimated to cost the same.
But Transport for London is confident today's announcement will mean the budget is less stretched and it will be in a better position to deliver Crossrail on time in 2017.
The project received a financial boost earlier this week when it was revealed airport operator BAA has pledged £230m to fund Crossrail, ensuring it will stop at Heathrow Airport.
The plans already includes stops in Hanwell, Acton, Ealing, West Ealing, and Southall.
PRINT ARTICLE »EMAIL TO A FRIEND »
SHARE
What's this? »
DiggRedditFacebookFurlYahoo
YOUR SAY Your
Muhammad Haque, London says...
2:17pm Fri 7 Nov 08
Your report, even assuming that it is based on spin and propaganda from Boris Johnson and the still ill-advised agents of Big Business Crossrail - is full of contradictions. This again shows that Crossrail is not the answer to transport needs of and in London. If they have to take away almost £3 billion from OTHER transport programmes then it foes without saying that Crossrail is ADDING to the transport problems of London. Look at Crossrail rationally. Once you do that, the fundamental flaws of this deeply crass ploy will become obvious. Scrap Crossrail. Save £16 Billion at 2008 prices.
REPORT THIS POST »
Muhammad Haque, London says...
2:21pm Fri 7 Nov 08
Your report, even assuming that it is based on spin and propaganda from Boris Johnson and the still ill-advised agents of Big Business Crossrail - is full of contradictions. This again shows that Crossrail is not the answer to transport needs of and in London. If they have to take away almost £3 billion from OTHER transport programmes then it goes without saying that Crossrail is ADDING to the transport problems of London. Look at Crossrail rationally. Once you do that, the fundamental flaws of this deeply crass ploy will become obvious. Scrap Crossrail. Save £16 Billion at 2008 prices.
REPORT THIS POST »
KHOODEELAAR! advising Brown: Don't be foolish. Scrap Crossrail and avoid debts and ridicule [238]
This page was last edited at 1500 GMT London Monday 10 November 2008
1455 GMT London Monday 10 November 2008: By©Muhammad Haque...KHOODEELAAR! call today for scrapping Crossrail has ben carried on the Times London web site KHOODEELAAR diagnoses of Brown's spin have been echoed by many others who have commented and published hours after the Khoodeelaar! analysis... Even man from the Crossrail scam-backing Financial Times,, Chris Giles, says that Brown should aim at addressing the poorer end of society..... But how can Brown do so? Unless he scraps Crossrail, there is no way that he will succeed [ASSUMING he would want to support the impoverished...] With the corrupting outfits doing the spin for Big Business Crossrail, like Bloomberg [prop the New York mayor Bloomberg, a callous backer of Crossrail himself] which has been a callous plugger of Crossrail, the absurdly over-hyped Keynesian ‘answer’ may be revived and the CRASSrail wastefulness also given plausibility.....
[To be continued]
1455 GMT London Monday 10 November 2008: By©Muhammad Haque...KHOODEELAAR! call today for scrapping Crossrail has ben carried on the Times London web site KHOODEELAAR diagnoses of Brown's spin have been echoed by many others who have commented and published hours after the Khoodeelaar! analysis... Even man from the Crossrail scam-backing Financial Times,, Chris Giles, says that Brown should aim at addressing the poorer end of society..... But how can Brown do so? Unless he scraps Crossrail, there is no way that he will succeed [ASSUMING he would want to support the impoverished...] With the corrupting outfits doing the spin for Big Business Crossrail, like Bloomberg [prop the New York mayor Bloomberg, a callous backer of Crossrail himself] which has been a callous plugger of Crossrail, the absurdly over-hyped Keynesian ‘answer’ may be revived and the CRASSrail wastefulness also given plausibility.....
[To be continued]
KHOODEELAAR! updating the evidence of Gordon Brown's unwise propensity to descent into a debts hole.....[237]
This page was last edited at 1255 GMT London Monday 10 November 2008
KHOODEELAAR! updating the evidence of Gordon Brown's unwise propensity to descent into a debts hole.....[237]
BBC political editor's blog referring to tax cuts and Brown's abandonment of Prudence
"
Nick Robinson's Newslog
LATEST ENTRY
Talking tax cuts
Nick10 Nov 08, 10:32 AM
So, everyone appears to agree. The recession's going to be much worse than originally feared. Borrowing's high and going to get much higher. There is, therefore, no money to spend. So, now's the time to spend money on cutting taxes making sure that there's even less money in the exchequer.
Hold on a second. How can this possibly be?
The answer is that politicians and economists are all asking themselves the same big question - what if big interest rate cuts don't get the economy moving again? What, in other words, if the central banks prove to be impotent in the face of the looming crisis? Then, the argument goes, it would fall to governments to act. In the jargon, if a monetary stimulus fails they will have to try a fiscal stimulus.
Now, if you're looking to stimulate a failing economy you're not talking about the sort of figures that are normally bandied about on Budget Day - the odd couple of billion here or there. Economists talk, instead, of spending one or two per cent of national income. Now, one per cent of British GDP is about £15bn. That's where the talk of tax cuts on that scale has come from but that's all it is, so far at least. Talk.
It is, however, talk that Gordon Brown's fuelling. This morning on GMTV he said:
"What I am determined to do is to get all countries round the world trying to get their economies moving again and one way you can do that is by putting more money into the economy by tax cuts or by public spending rises. But that's something that we've got to look at in the next few weeks."
As I've written before, it is still far from clear whether he is simply trying to put a better gloss on the dreadful borrowing figures which the chancellor will have to unveil soon or whether he's seriously contemplating borrowing much more than he's forced to in order to stimulate the economy. Bear in mind that if ministers did nothing in the forthcoming Pre-Budget Report taxes would actually rise - the £2.7bn rise in tax allowances to end the 10p tax fiasco was funded for one year only and the controversial car tax (VED) reforms are looming.
Meantime, the Tories are on the brink of unveiling a tax cut which, they say, will help keep people in work. This is the same party that was only recently saying that "the cupboard is bare" and which boasted that they wouldn't promise tax cuts they couldn't afford. In the FT today, the shadow chancellor insists that they've not shifted their position arguing that "Spending our way out of recession will not work. Targeted tax cuts would help but they must be properly funded". Until we see the colour of their money it's hard to assess how different their ideas really are.
The Lib Dems are the only ones who've consistently proposed major tax cuts for some time (though they're paid for by their tax increases) They propose to cut the basic rate of income tax from 20p to 16p with the £18bn cost being paid for, they claim, by closing tax loopholes for the rich and increases in green taxes. They, like the Tories, argue that tax cuts should not be paid for by extra borrowing.
So, there may be agreement on the need for tax cuts to help stimulate the economy but there is none on the type, the scale or how they should be funded.
Some countries have, of course, already unveiled stimulus packages. The Australian government, for example, recently pledged to spend 10bn Australian dollars - estimated to be just under 1% of their GDP. In stark contrast with Britain, however, they're had budget surpluses for the past decade.
"
KHOODEELAAR! updating the evidence of Gordon Brown's unwise propensity to descent into a debts hole.....[237]
BBC political editor's blog referring to tax cuts and Brown's abandonment of Prudence
"
Nick Robinson's Newslog
LATEST ENTRY
Talking tax cuts
Nick10 Nov 08, 10:32 AM
So, everyone appears to agree. The recession's going to be much worse than originally feared. Borrowing's high and going to get much higher. There is, therefore, no money to spend. So, now's the time to spend money on cutting taxes making sure that there's even less money in the exchequer.
Hold on a second. How can this possibly be?
The answer is that politicians and economists are all asking themselves the same big question - what if big interest rate cuts don't get the economy moving again? What, in other words, if the central banks prove to be impotent in the face of the looming crisis? Then, the argument goes, it would fall to governments to act. In the jargon, if a monetary stimulus fails they will have to try a fiscal stimulus.
Now, if you're looking to stimulate a failing economy you're not talking about the sort of figures that are normally bandied about on Budget Day - the odd couple of billion here or there. Economists talk, instead, of spending one or two per cent of national income. Now, one per cent of British GDP is about £15bn. That's where the talk of tax cuts on that scale has come from but that's all it is, so far at least. Talk.
It is, however, talk that Gordon Brown's fuelling. This morning on GMTV he said:
"What I am determined to do is to get all countries round the world trying to get their economies moving again and one way you can do that is by putting more money into the economy by tax cuts or by public spending rises. But that's something that we've got to look at in the next few weeks."
As I've written before, it is still far from clear whether he is simply trying to put a better gloss on the dreadful borrowing figures which the chancellor will have to unveil soon or whether he's seriously contemplating borrowing much more than he's forced to in order to stimulate the economy. Bear in mind that if ministers did nothing in the forthcoming Pre-Budget Report taxes would actually rise - the £2.7bn rise in tax allowances to end the 10p tax fiasco was funded for one year only and the controversial car tax (VED) reforms are looming.
Meantime, the Tories are on the brink of unveiling a tax cut which, they say, will help keep people in work. This is the same party that was only recently saying that "the cupboard is bare" and which boasted that they wouldn't promise tax cuts they couldn't afford. In the FT today, the shadow chancellor insists that they've not shifted their position arguing that "Spending our way out of recession will not work. Targeted tax cuts would help but they must be properly funded". Until we see the colour of their money it's hard to assess how different their ideas really are.
The Lib Dems are the only ones who've consistently proposed major tax cuts for some time (though they're paid for by their tax increases) They propose to cut the basic rate of income tax from 20p to 16p with the £18bn cost being paid for, they claim, by closing tax loopholes for the rich and increases in green taxes. They, like the Tories, argue that tax cuts should not be paid for by extra borrowing.
So, there may be agreement on the need for tax cuts to help stimulate the economy but there is none on the type, the scale or how they should be funded.
Some countries have, of course, already unveiled stimulus packages. The Australian government, for example, recently pledged to spend 10bn Australian dollars - estimated to be just under 1% of their GDP. In stark contrast with Britain, however, they're had budget surpluses for the past decade.
"
KHOODEELAAR! calls for scrapping the wasteful Crossrail, thus sparing extra debt and waste...[236]
This page was last edited at 0818 GMT London Monday 10 November 2008
This comment has been posted on the Times London web site by Khoodeelaar! campaign organiser Muhammad Haque in the last 5 minutes:
"Scrap Crossrail, the £16 Billion scam that is a product of hype and City o London propaganda. That will spare the economy so much avoidable debt and waste."
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"From The Times
November 10, 2008
£15bn tax cuts? Don’t bank on it
Sam Coates, Chief Political Correspondent
The Government moved to dampen expectations over the scale of forthcoming tax cuts yesterday, as the Bank of England prepared to ditch its forecasts and confirm that Britain is entering a recession.
The Treasury and No 10 played down suggestions that the value of tax cuts could reach £15 billion - the level some economists say is needed to kickstart the economy - and called weekend briefings unhelpful.
Gordon Brown restated his enthusiasm for tax cuts, however, congratulating China for a four trillion yuan (£375 billion) stimulus package that includes a £11 billion cut in business tax.
The Prime Minister, in his annual Mansion House speech tonight, will urge global leaders to adopt a progressive approach to the downturn and call for greater coordination of fiscal and monetary policy.
RELATED LINKS
Giving and taking: a question of timing
Banks defy Brown over new interest rate cut
Further tax cuts, including more help for those affected by the abolition in April of the 10p income tax band, are likely to be announced by Alistair Darling as part of the PreBudget Report (PBR) before the end of the month. The Chancellor is expected to extend the temporary assistance for the 4.2 million households affected by the abolition of the band by another year, at a cost of at least £2.7 billion.
However, 52 Labour MPs have signed a motion calling for an additional commitment for the 1.1 million households that were not compensated in May, which could push the cost significantly higher.
On Wednesday the Bank of England is expected to make a significant U-turn by announcing the biggest cuts to its growth forecast in more than a decade and confirming that a full-blown recession is inevitable.
In August its inflation report predicted growth of 0.5 per cent next year and 2.25 per cent in 2010, but economists now expect its forthcoming quarterly assessment to forecast a decline of between 1 per cent and 1.5 per cent next year. Unemployment figures, which will be released the same day, are likely to show the jobless total hovering just below two million.
Mr Brown has led an international effort to encourage world leaders to increase borrowing and cut taxes, saying that fiscal policy should support economic growth, and promising: “We are looking at what we can do to help.”
No 10 denied that this amounted to confirmation that tax cuts were imminent, pointing out that the Government had already cut taxes by £4 billion this year with the temporary suspension of stamp duty and freezing of fuel duty. However,there isgrowing momentum in the Government and the Labour Party for help for lower-income families during the downturn.
John McFall, chairman of the Commons Treasury Select Committee, added to the pressure by calling for further tax cuts for the lower-paid. “I want to ensure that those who were taken out of the 10p tax bracket don’t go back in and get taxed and that a number of others are taken out of the tax threshold,” he said.
Speculation that tax cuts might reach £15 billion surfaced after Robert Chote, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, suggested that extra borrowing close to 1 per cent of national output was needed to provide a “meaningful” boost to the economy.
The Conservatives hinted yesterday that they were planning their own proposals for emergency tax cuts, but emphasised that they would not be funded by borrowing. A spokeswoman refused to give details, but a Tory source suggested that it would not be universal and would come “in an area most likely to be affected by the recession” - likely to be connected with business and unemployment.
The Tories face a dilemma if there is a large tax cut in the PBR. David Cameron has rejected any increases in borrowing - which would pay for the cut - but the Tories are unlikely to want to be the only political party to oppose lower taxes.
Despite signs of a Brown bounce in the Glenrothes by-election, a new poll indicated that the Tories had held their 13-point lead over Labour. ICM put the Conservatives on 43, Labour on 30 and Liberal Democrats on 18.
HAVE YOUR SAY
The obvious answer is for the Government to reinstate the 22 and 10p tax bands rather than pour billions into the system in a confused, expensive to administer compensation scheme.
Just admit it was a mistake to cut the 10p rate rather than compound it.
P Barrett, Plymouth,
It's good to see that Labour is back on form with confusion and mid-managed expectations around taxes. Brown is a tax and spend - and borrow - adict and any cuts he might make will be so complex and limited in scope that they will make difference at all to the country's grim outlook.
David Williams, Bedford, UK
HAVE YOUR SAY
PRINTEMAILPOST TO DEL.ICIO.USPOST TO FARKPOST TO YAHOO!POST TO DIGG
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Win a luxurious long weekend for two in Paris, as guests of The Westin Paris and Eurostar
Muir show recalls colours and cuts that made Sixties swing
This comment has been posted on the Times London web site by Khoodeelaar! campaign organiser Muhammad Haque in the last 5 minutes:
"Scrap Crossrail, the £16 Billion scam that is a product of hype and City o London propaganda. That will spare the economy so much avoidable debt and waste."
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"From The Times
November 10, 2008
£15bn tax cuts? Don’t bank on it
Sam Coates, Chief Political Correspondent
The Government moved to dampen expectations over the scale of forthcoming tax cuts yesterday, as the Bank of England prepared to ditch its forecasts and confirm that Britain is entering a recession.
The Treasury and No 10 played down suggestions that the value of tax cuts could reach £15 billion - the level some economists say is needed to kickstart the economy - and called weekend briefings unhelpful.
Gordon Brown restated his enthusiasm for tax cuts, however, congratulating China for a four trillion yuan (£375 billion) stimulus package that includes a £11 billion cut in business tax.
The Prime Minister, in his annual Mansion House speech tonight, will urge global leaders to adopt a progressive approach to the downturn and call for greater coordination of fiscal and monetary policy.
RELATED LINKS
Giving and taking: a question of timing
Banks defy Brown over new interest rate cut
Further tax cuts, including more help for those affected by the abolition in April of the 10p income tax band, are likely to be announced by Alistair Darling as part of the PreBudget Report (PBR) before the end of the month. The Chancellor is expected to extend the temporary assistance for the 4.2 million households affected by the abolition of the band by another year, at a cost of at least £2.7 billion.
However, 52 Labour MPs have signed a motion calling for an additional commitment for the 1.1 million households that were not compensated in May, which could push the cost significantly higher.
On Wednesday the Bank of England is expected to make a significant U-turn by announcing the biggest cuts to its growth forecast in more than a decade and confirming that a full-blown recession is inevitable.
In August its inflation report predicted growth of 0.5 per cent next year and 2.25 per cent in 2010, but economists now expect its forthcoming quarterly assessment to forecast a decline of between 1 per cent and 1.5 per cent next year. Unemployment figures, which will be released the same day, are likely to show the jobless total hovering just below two million.
Mr Brown has led an international effort to encourage world leaders to increase borrowing and cut taxes, saying that fiscal policy should support economic growth, and promising: “We are looking at what we can do to help.”
No 10 denied that this amounted to confirmation that tax cuts were imminent, pointing out that the Government had already cut taxes by £4 billion this year with the temporary suspension of stamp duty and freezing of fuel duty. However,there isgrowing momentum in the Government and the Labour Party for help for lower-income families during the downturn.
John McFall, chairman of the Commons Treasury Select Committee, added to the pressure by calling for further tax cuts for the lower-paid. “I want to ensure that those who were taken out of the 10p tax bracket don’t go back in and get taxed and that a number of others are taken out of the tax threshold,” he said.
Speculation that tax cuts might reach £15 billion surfaced after Robert Chote, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, suggested that extra borrowing close to 1 per cent of national output was needed to provide a “meaningful” boost to the economy.
The Conservatives hinted yesterday that they were planning their own proposals for emergency tax cuts, but emphasised that they would not be funded by borrowing. A spokeswoman refused to give details, but a Tory source suggested that it would not be universal and would come “in an area most likely to be affected by the recession” - likely to be connected with business and unemployment.
The Tories face a dilemma if there is a large tax cut in the PBR. David Cameron has rejected any increases in borrowing - which would pay for the cut - but the Tories are unlikely to want to be the only political party to oppose lower taxes.
Despite signs of a Brown bounce in the Glenrothes by-election, a new poll indicated that the Tories had held their 13-point lead over Labour. ICM put the Conservatives on 43, Labour on 30 and Liberal Democrats on 18.
HAVE YOUR SAY
The obvious answer is for the Government to reinstate the 22 and 10p tax bands rather than pour billions into the system in a confused, expensive to administer compensation scheme.
Just admit it was a mistake to cut the 10p rate rather than compound it.
P Barrett, Plymouth,
It's good to see that Labour is back on form with confusion and mid-managed expectations around taxes. Brown is a tax and spend - and borrow - adict and any cuts he might make will be so complex and limited in scope that they will make difference at all to the country's grim outlook.
David Williams, Bedford, UK
HAVE YOUR SAY
PRINTEMAILPOST TO DEL.ICIO.USPOST TO FARKPOST TO YAHOO!POST TO DIGG
ALSO IN POLITICS
Post offices at risk if they lose account task, MPs say
Lord Turner calls for wind and nuclear power in race to cut emissions
Tories vow to remove inter-racial taboo in adoption
ALSO IN NEWS
PJ Howard 'still in thrall to lying eyes'
Win a luxurious long weekend for two in Paris, as guests of The Westin Paris and Eurostar
Muir show recalls colours and cuts that made Sixties swing