WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTIONS FOR WEDNESDAY’S BUDGET?
ROGER BOOTLE | DELOITTE
“The chancellor will point to the fragility of the economic recovery in resisting calls from some economists for a faster fiscal consolidation. Any modest proceeds from lower unemployment and the bonus tax windfall are likely to be largely spent rather than saved, hardening the election battle lines.”
DAVID BUIK | BGC PARTNERS
“Alistair Darling is likely to increase capital gains tax from 18 per cent to 30 per cent. It’s all part of the spiteful things that Labour do and they must find money from somewhere in order to halve the budget deficit. I think he will put petrol up by 3p and and leave VAT where it is.”
ANGELA KNIGHT | BRITISH BANKERS’ ASSOCIATION
“I think Darling is going to talk about cuts in public spending – he simply can’t avoid it. There are rumours that there will be some form of levy for the banks and I think they are too loud to be ignored. Wednesday’s budget is about politics and the general election.”