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Budget 2015: 12 likely measures to be announced by George Osborne today – from 'Google tax' to cheaper beer

The Coalition hasn't given much away ahead of its final Budget. Here are some things which will probably make an appearance

Andrew Grice
Wednesday 18 March 2015 07:31 EDT
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Past and present employees of Carillion belong to more than a dozen different schemes which collectively have 27,500 members and a deficit of around £900m
Past and present employees of Carillion belong to more than a dozen different schemes which collectively have 27,500 members and a deficit of around £900m (Rex)

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1. Savings

Virtual abolition of the tax on savings income, with only the rich paying it in future.

2. Public spending cuts

Eased in the final year of the 2015-20 parliament.

(Corbis)

3. Personal tax allowance

Amount of tax-free income, due to rise to £10,600 next month, likely to be £11,000.

Around 70,000 people could miss out on their state pension
Around 70,000 people could miss out on their state pension (Getty)

4. Pensioners

The 5m people who have already bought annuities will be able to sell them and spend the money; possible cut in tax relief for high earners on their pension pots by reducing the £1.25m lifetime allowance.

HSBC was found to have helped customers conceal assets and dodge taxes earlier this year
HSBC was found to have helped customers conceal assets and dodge taxes earlier this year (Getty)

5. Tax avoidance and evasion

“Google tax” on multinationals which move profits to low-tax countries to avoid tax; new offence of economic crime – helping people evade tax, aimed at bankers and accountants.

The deal comes after both Shell and BG cut back their capital expenditure in the wake of the recent oil price slump.
The deal comes after both Shell and BG cut back their capital expenditure in the wake of the recent oil price slump. (Getty)

6. North Sea Oil

Tax help for firms to head off job losses due to falling global price of oil.

(Getty)

7. Beer

A possible cut in beer duty.

8. Petrol

Possible freeze in fuel duty despite falling prices.

(Creative Commons)

9. Northern Powerhouse

An Oyster-style transport card for the North like the one in London; electrification of the Selby to Hull line; investment in the chemical sector in the North East.

Ofcom said that overall they expect a ninefold increase in compensation levels
Ofcom said that overall they expect a ninefold increase in compensation levels (Rex)

10. Broadband

To introduce ultra-fast broadband around the UK.

11. Housing

45,000 new homes to be built on brownfield sites.

London remains by far the biggest digital employer, according to the report, with 251,590 people working for technology companies in the capital
London remains by far the biggest digital employer, according to the report, with 251,590 people working for technology companies in the capital (Getty)

12. Industry

Support for technology clusters around the UK; two new “enterprise zones” in Plymouth and Blackpool.

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