Brown expected to avoid pre-election tax hike - papers 15th March

The Daily Telegraph says Brown's decision to steer clear of any tax rises was further strenghtened when he promised to "strive for stability" at Labour's Spring conference. But his determination to hold down spending faces pressure from Cabinet colleagues as it could hit efforts to fight against crime, according to a leaked government paper. That said, the chancellor is still expected to announce rises in VAT and/or stamp duty when he addresses the Commons on Wednesday. UP IN Scotland, the mutual insurer Standard Life yesterday shot down claims there was anything sinister in the fa...