All eyes on Darling’s pre-election budget

CHANCELLOR Alistair Darling will today deliver his third budget, weeks before the general election.

TheBusinessDesk.com is teaming up with accountants and business advisers BDO to cover the key statement and offering speedy reaction and analysis of the announcements.

Mr Darling is expected to tread carefully as he dare not risk a give-away budget with the parlous state of public finances.

There was speculation today though that he would include at least one populist measure – scrapping stamp duty on house sales of up to £250,000, whlie a planned rise in petrol duty may also be delayed.

New tax rises and spending cuts are unlikely to be outlined, ahead of the election,
which is  expected to be held on May 6.

But Mr Darling might spell out more details of where the government expects to make £11bn of public sector efficiency savings by 2012/13.

Latest figures suggest that government borrowing for 2009-10 – which had been predicted to reach £178bn – might be nearer £170bn, largely due to lower-than-expected unemployment.

The chancellor is also expected to outline a plan for the future, with billions invested in digital jobs, broadband for all, high-speed rail and biotech industries.