Fairness and opportunity for all
Work is the best route out of poverty and the Government will continue to create employment opportunities for all, whilst supporting those individuals who are unable to work.
The Government remains committed to a modern and fair tax system where everyone pays their fair share of tax.
This year's Budget also sets out the next steps on tackling child poverty, supporting families and ensuring security in old age including:
- further financial support for children which will lift up to 250,000 children out of poverty;
- further action, with the energy companies and Ofgem to help vulnerable groups deal with rising energy prices;
- alongside the Winter Fuel Payment, an additional one-off payment of £100 to over-80s households and £50 to over-60s households in 2008-09. This will benefit around 9 million households;
- the national rollout of the Saving Gateway which is a cash saving scheme for those on lower incomes;
- Work Capability Assessments for all existing Incapacity Benefit claimants focusing on what people can do in work;
- increasing all alcohol duty rates by 6 per cent. This will add 4 pence to the price of a pint of beer, 14 pence to the price of a bottle of wine and 55 pence to the price of a bottle of spirits; and
- a number of measures to tackle tax fraud and avoidance.