Crystal ball gazing

By William Green on Nov 20, 08 08:17 AM

Could Gordon Brown use Monday's mini-budget as the starting gun for a spring general election?

If he does, these are some of the measures that could feature in the pre-budget report on Monday (as well as moves that may be "buried"):

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Controversial hikes in car tax dumped or delayed.

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Rethink on levy on empty commercial properties with business chiefs and North East Minister Nick Brown warning about damaging impact.

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Tax cuts focussed on lower income earners - possibly through tax credits.
.
Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Measures to force banks to lend to small businesses amid possible larger economic stimulus package.

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Potential further measures to help the property market and property-owners.
Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Details of bringing forward infrastructure projects.

And here are some of things that may be less popular/more political sensitive:

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Massive rise in public borrowing and potential for future tax hikes to pay for soaring debt - possibly until after a general election.

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Dumping of Gordon Brown's golden fiscal rules of borrowing not exceeding 40% of GDP and borrowing for investment - although Labour may argue that point.

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Cut in predictions of economic growth.

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ Tightening of spending in some Government departments.

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