UK & World News
The latest UK & World news stories from the Press Association.
Darling rules out giveaway Budget
04:05, Mar 21 2010
Alistair Darling has ruled out a "giveaway Budget" as he put the finishing touches to the pre-election package he will deliver on Wednesday.
Better than expected tax and borrowing figures have given the Chancellor more leeway than anticipated - up to £12 billion according to experts.
But despite the political pressure of a general election just weeks away, he insisted the focus would be on tackling the UK's record deficit.
"This will not be a giveaway Budget," he told the Mail on Sunday, saying the Government had to "continue to live within its means".
Among measures reported to be set for inclusion are a £1 billion fund to kick-start investment in green transport and energy projects and extra help for the long-term unemployed.
Mr Darling is also thought to be considering whether to postpone a planned 3p rise in fuel duty.
It emerged on Saturday that he will use the Budget to confirm support for some form of global levy on banks - if international agreement is reached.
However Tory leader David Cameron went further, promising to introduce such a measure unilaterally if necessary in order to protect taxpayers' interests.
Mr Darling is unlikely to announce other new taxes though, and has already ruled out detailing spending cuts at this stage in line with plans to stimulate growth.
The Tories want to move faster on tackling the deficit, which the Government has pledged to halve in four years, but Labour insists that would "wreck" the recovery from recession.
Romney returns to winning ways 00:05, Feb 12 2012
Mitt Romney has won the Maine caucuses by a slim margin, giving him a much needed boost following losses in three other contests in the past week, Maine Republican Party chairman Charlie Webster said. more
Salmond insists on no-strings poll 00:05, Feb 12 2012
Alex Salmond has again insisted that plans for an independence referendum must have "no strings attached" from Westminster. more
Call to embrace community energy 00:05, Feb 12 2012
The Government must overhaul the "closed shop" energy market by embracing community schemes, according to a new report. more
PM quashes Lansley speculation 00:05, Feb 12 2012
David Cameron has sought to quash speculation over the survival of health secretary Andrew Lansley and his controversial NHS shake-up. more
PM 'plans football racism summit' 00:05, Feb 12 2012
David Cameron is expected to step into the row over racism in football by staging a Downing Street summit on the issue. more
Anger over marriage tax breaks 00:05, Feb 12 2012
George Osborne has infuriated Tory MPs by reportedly ruling out tax breaks for married couples in the Budget. more
Murdoch expected in wake of arrests 22:05, Feb 11 2012
Rupert Murdoch is expected to fly to London next week after reassuring staff he would not sell The Sun in the wake of a second wave of arrests at the newspaper. more
Man charged with stabbing murder 21:05, Feb 11 2012
A man has been charged with murder after another man was stabbed to death on, police said. more
Protesters show Syria solidarity 19:05, Feb 11 2012
Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in London in a show of solidarity with protesters across the Middle East and North Africa. more
Six bailed in corruption probe 19:05, Feb 11 2012
Six people arrested as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption have been released on bail, Scotland Yard said. more
The latest UK & World news stories from the Press Association.
