National Budget 2026

[Carth]

Getting cheaper now to book a weekend abroad and bring stuff back with you . . . legally or not

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

It is a council tax rebate I believe done by bands

i wonder if it's a one off payment or monthly instalments

[Jaymoss]

Found out if you pay by DD you just get the ton back in one go

[Carth]

Glad I never became a Premier League footballer or a famous rock star, I'd be missing out

[Jaymoss]

Thing it the 100 will offset what the bills will go up by by less than half

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-b3075143.html

Nigel Farage chose not to attend John Healey’s Budget speech in the Commons to prevent a possible "physical altercation", the Reform UK leader has claimed.

According to Mr Farage, his prayer card - which MPs place on seats to reserve them in the chamber - had been removed on Wednesday. He noted that he had already experienced a confrontation with a fellow MP during the state opening of Parliament on 13 May.

Speaking at a Westminster press conference following the address, he explained his absence as the Chancellor spoke.

"At the state opening of Parliament, I got involved… I didn’t want to… but I got involved in a physical altercation with an MP in the chamber,” Farage said.

"I didn’t make a fuss about it, I didn’t complain, but I could see given that my prayer card had been removed, I was heading towards another physical altercation. Just sometimes it’s better to avoid conflict…

… In a statement issued to the Press Association, a spokesperson for the House of Commons said a prayer card was removed because it did not display the relevant information needed to reserve a place.

The spokesperson said: “There are clear and long-established arrangements for members to reserve their own seats in the chamber using prayer cards displaying a valid date stamp.

Today, a prayer card placed on a seat did not display a valid date stamp and was removed in line with the usual chamber protocol.”

[papa smurf]

probably watched it in the pub before the beer went up in price

[Dingbat]

Originally Posted by Hugh

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-b3075143.html

The poor hard-done-by soul.

He could have done what every other MP does when there’s no seats, and stand at the back of the chamber. Or ask one of the other MPs in his party to vacate their seat and stand.

But it’s easier for him to play the victim.

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

Found out if you pay by DD you just get the ton back in one go

I saw a couple of places mention it just goes back into your bank account, so you can spend it on anything (even drugs, booze, gambling etc).

Originally Posted by Paul

I saw a couple of places mention it just goes back into your bank account, so you can spend it on anything (even drugs, booze, gambling etc).

Paul knows how to have a good time.

[papa smurf]

so you don't get it if you haven't paid your council tax

Originally Posted by papa smurf

probably watched it in the pub before the beer went up in price

The new alcohol duty rates will take effect on 1 February 2027, with duty increasing in line with RPI inflation