At the heart of Gordon Browns 10th Pre-Budget Report was high spending on education and increased “green” taxes. He announced that he would be squeezing an extra £2 billion in tax out of the economy this year to finance his higher spending.
He ended the three-year freeze on fuel duty and doubled the tax for air travellers as he sought to establish his “green” credentials. Fuel duty was increased by 1.25p a litre increasing the average petrol price to around 88p a litre.
From February 1 this year, air passenger duty will double - rising from £5 to £10 for most European flights and from £20 to £40 for economy-seat travellers on long-haul flights.
|
 |
Mr Brown pledged to tackle climate change with an ambitious target of making every new home a zero carbon home within the next ten years - which is likely to involve fitting new houses with solar panels. But he ruled out swinging increases in energy prices to tackle pollution.
Mr Brown said investment in school, college and university buildings would rise to £10.2 billion by 2010-11 - a cumulative increase of £36 billion over the next four years.
He also promised additional cash paid direct to head teachers rising from £39,000 to £50,000 for the typical primary school and from £150,000 to £200,000 for secondary schools - equivalent of £200 per pupil. |
