What a mess, indirect price increases due to the VAT rise, more households will be plunged into fuel poverty, food prices will increase as manufacturers and supermarkets pass on the VAT increase to customers. No rise in fuel duty but VAT rise will add 2.5p to a litre of petrol. Changing from the RPI to CPI for benefits will see real cuts and increased poverty, this is a backward step. So much for a fair budget, and the poor are the second hardest hit. I just hope that all those councils who are doing deals with Tory Councillors like the SNP in East Ayrshire think again before it’s too late.