Comment and analysis

Things can only get worse

The Times poll shows that the public is resigned to bad times, not expecting much from politicians of either main party

Rose-tinted specs fail to offer hope

The obvious justification for Mr Darling’s relatively upbeat scenario is that the outlook is fraught with uncertainty

This won’t save the planet - or the elderly

If the threat of climate change did not already exist, politicians such as Alistair Darling would surely invent it

Lifestyle taxes and savings 

Rush to beat the capital gains deadline

Thousands of investors have been warned they have just weeks to take action or face higher tax

Voters back alcohol and car tax hikes

Majority of public resigned to higher taxes and being worse off this year but think a Conservative Budget would be worse

The hangover Budget

Drinkers and drivers are hit in the pocket as Alistair Darling uses them to try to steer Britain away from looming recession

Environment 

Government accused of ‘running scared’

Alistair Darling is accused of getting cold feet on biofuels after abolishing a measure that encouraged their production

Campaigners rubbish plastic bags vow

A promise to put the plastic bag in the waste bin was dismissed by campaigners who say little is done on climate change

Zero-carbon offices target ‘may be too late’

All new offices, shops and other commercial buildings are expected to be zero carbon by 2019, the Chancellor has said

Property & Mortgages 

Green ‘guilt’ can lead to lower bills

Living in a flat in a Victorian conversion, I was ready for the worst after signing up for Green Homes Concierge Service

Reactions from the property market

Stamp Duty, first-time buyers, new homes, green measures and fixed rate mortgages

Benefits

Claimants must prove they are unfit

Darling said from April 2010 all claimants who fail to show incapacity will be moved off benefit and forced to seek work

Pensioner groups dismiss winter fuel payment rise

Charities gave warning that a one-off extra winter fuel payment would not help pensioners who are stuck in poverty

Public spending

We can weather storm, Darling says

Darling said he was presenting a responsible Budget to maintain stability for the economy in the face of global insecurity

Iraq and Afghanistan war budget set at £2bn

Treasury's estimate works on premise that troop numbers in Iraq will halve and Afghanistan will remain stable

Crackdown promised on waste and inefficiency

Darling plans to shave tens of billions off expenditure programmes by cracking down on inefficient practices

Corporation tax and business

Taxman's surprise inspections

Inspectors will be able to carry out spot-checks on all companies and self-employed people who work at home from next April

Businesses set for pain as tax gains wiped out

Businesses will get over £680m worth of tax relief in the next three years, but £1.4bn of new taxes eat away any gains

Optimism could leave no room for manoeuvre

Business groups raised fears on the credibility of economic forecasts, but were relieved there were no 'nasty surprises'