Burnham's first Budget arrives

Prime minister Andy Burnham's first Budget is days away as households await news of fiscal changes. Inflation rose to three point five percent in September, the highest in nearly a year.

Triple lock revision planned

Burnham has pledged to revise the triple lock, taking effect in twenty thirty. Official estimates say this could save fifteen billion pounds per year by twenty forty.

Healey shields pensioners from tax

Chancellor John Healey will confirm that nearly a million pensioners will be shielded from paying income tax in the next financial year.

Tax allowance raised for pensioners

Healey will raise the tax-free income allowance to thirteen thousand thirty six pounds, the exact value of the state pension, for low-income pensioners only.This ensures no pensioner with state pension as sole income pays tax.

Pension tax relief under scrutiny

A recurring proposal would cut pension tax relief for high earners to a flat rate of twenty percent regardless of income tax bracket.This could save around fifteen billion pounds a year according to some estimates.

Major benefit changes expected later

Changes to the benefit system are likely announced after the Budget rather than at the event.

Universal credit health element at risk

Another reform could see the health element of universal credit removed for claimants under twenty five. This group contains over two hundred fifty thousand claimants, according to government sources.

Burnham rejects crude benefit cuts

Burnham has said his government will not pursue crude cuts in attempting to bring down Britain's benefits bill. However, he may face a showdown with MPs if he attempts to cut spending too sharply.

“will not pursue "crude cuts"”