budget

General insurance brokers could be hit with a £20m bill from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and a further £40m hike next year as the fallout from payment protection insurance (PPI) continues.

The UK's debt problems could be on a par with those facing Greece and Portugal, according to a former IMF economist.

Legal and General is now offering the facility to apply for different sums assured for term assurance and critical illness cover.

December's pre-Budget report announced measures to try to stave off the worst effects of the financial crisis.

As many as 150,000 additional people will be caught out by the extension of higher-rate tax relief restrictions.

The individual inheritance tax (IHT) allowance has been frozen at £325,000.

The UK's net debt will rise to 78% of GDP over the next five years, according to Alistair Darling.

The Chancellor says he is confident the UK's economy will boom in 2011 after returning to growth in 2010.

The Chancellor will cut the official economic forecast for 2009 to around -4.75%, from the Budget's forecast of a 3.5% contraction, according to Treasury sources.

The Queen has revealed details of the Fiscal Responsibility Bill today, designed to cut Britain's growing budget deficit.