Pre-Budget 2001: News & analysis

No one said it but everyone thought it. Even by the standards of previous pre-Budgets reports this was about as underwhelming a package as could have been announced by the chancellor.

What the chancellor said:
PBR: VAT fraud measures launched
PBR: Rural aid will cost UK Pounds 2.7bn
PBR: Brown in green technology push
PBR: Growth forecast unchangede
PBR: UK haulage faces more red tape
PBR: Chancellor cuts CGT taper relief
PBR: Growth forecast unchanged
PBR: Taxes may rise to fund NHS
PBR: New green initiatives launched
PBR: Consultation on charities scheme
PBR: Share options extended
PBR: R&D tax credit for large companies
PBR: Stamp duty cuts introduced
PBR: Football pools tax to go
PBR: Tax cuts to encourage enterprise


Reaction and comment
Approval and concern at CGT changes
ICAEW: Tax system still too complex
Changes to EMI considered ineffective
Tories: Brown attacked over enterprise failure
UK plc welcomes IP reforms


Pre-budget predictions
Pre-Budget spotlight on public sector
ICAEW calls for simplified tax system
Brown to give software licence relief

Links
HM Treasury pre-Budget report
Brown's speech in full