The "angry man" budget: those new enemies in full

Alistair Darling's McBland budget still has the potential to upset lots of people. Are you on the list, and have we missed anyone out? And are you cross yet?

Fans of living within your means, with borrowing next year will rise to £43bn, some 2.9% of national income.

Tax avoiders who, once again, are being picked on. Darling thinks that this latest crackdown (a favourite of budgets past) will generate up to a billion squids. Also in this category: the enemies of accountants who will multiply in numbers to cope with the crackdown.

People who want 25 year fixed term mortgages. A fixed term staple of Labour budgets. Yet another consultation, yawn.

US non doms who received no reassurances they will be able to offset any new UK tax in the US

Enemies of unviversal benefits as child benefit - also received by the middle classes - was hiked to £20 a week

Binge drinkers who will raise £600 million to pay for child poverty.

People who took Darling at his word when he said he had no intention of whacking up alcohol duty in next month's Budget on the grounds that the Government should not "punish everyone for the sins of a minority".

Smokers who will pay 11p a packet more (we don't believe David Cameron's claims he's quit, and Nick Clegg apparently enjoys the odd one too)

Scroungers on incapacity benefit who face new tests to see if they should work. No rest for the slothful.

Optimists: after being told by the Chancellor of uncertainly, recession, turbulence and major slowdown in the world weekend

People who want a quiet weekend: expect a stampede to the off-license before booze taxes go up on Sunday

The enemies of smug teetotal drivers of low carbon cars. Enough said.

Enemies of the afternoon snooze: at least one peer enjoyed Darling's speech with his eyes shut

Enemies of spin: almost the entire budget was pre-briefed to the media.

Customs officers: Who will welcome thousands of new continental booze cruisers from Monday

Fans of good accounting: they haven't included the winter fuel allowance in next year's figures

Enemies of stability, mentioned 23 times. Stability is the new Prudence. Is the new political cliche

Comments

[Richard Barker]

You should perhaps add "Hospitality Industry Employees" to the list of those who will have much in common with turkeys who have decided not to vote for Christmas. I heard representatives of the brewing and public house industries today voicing strong fears that jobs will be seriously under threat. The true cost of the smoking in public places ban was quoted at around a 25% drop in trade by one publican who voiced real concerns at the effect on the ordinary social drinker. The idea that the alcohol taxes will somehow curb "binge drinking" is quite frankly derisory.

[David]

Don´t forget that everyone under retirement age without children who earns (or receives a pension of) less than 15,500 pounds will pay more tax to subsidize the rich. Income tax on my pension of 8,500 increases by 50% from 8 pounds a week to 12. Thanks for caring about the poor Mr Brown.