Case Study: The high-earning family
'A good-for-business government'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arthur and Judith Dornan
Arthur is company director of Cartebar Ltd, an independent financial adviser. Judith is a primary school teacher. They have two sons, Gary and Paul, both aged 18.
Home: Newbottle, near Sunderland. House worth £300,000
Age: 46 and 45
Income: Household annual income £100,000. Mr Dornan earns £70,000, Mrs Dornan £30,000
Savings: £5,000 ISAs, £2,000 deposit accounts
Company benefits: medical insurance
Outgoings (per month): £800 mortgage, £600 car maintenance
Politics: Labour voter
Hopes for Budget: Hopes that the Chancellor will press on with pension simplification plans, so people can invest more in their pension
Effect of Budget: Will pay £257 less in income tax , but £50 more in National Insurance. Pension simplification plans introduced
"There's nothing sensational in it. The change in VAT registration doesn't really help, but the freeze in corporation tax is particularly good. The freeze on fuel duty rises is a help as my business partner and I do 50,000 miles a year between us.
"I'm pleased with the pension simplifications, and also for the council tax help for pensioners, as they make up many of my customers. What's good for our customers is obviously good for me.
"My wife's a schoolteacher; she's delighted with the extra money for primary education.
"Cigarettes should be taxed a lot more because smoking is such a burden on the health service. As for the rise in duty in beer and wine, it's too insignificant to worry about.
"Generally, I'm very much for the investment. Though we have private health cover, because my business can't afford for me to be ill, the good work in education and the health service needs to be continued. As for the £6bn to tackle terrorism, I'm not sure. We could spend it and still have what happened in Madrid. It's more difficult for the average guy to figure out if the Government is using money like that well, so if we spend that the Government needs to use it effectively.
"We're finding running a business under a Labour government very good. Interest rates are low, properties have increased in value, there are plenty of job opportunities. Everything seems very stable. I trust Brown, so I think they should carry on as they've started. I'll vote Labour at the next election, even if they had to increase income tax, so long as it was for a good reason."
Oliver Duff
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments