Reference :- The budget is complex. That is why we are given an abridged version by the media .

Reference :-   The media have presented their budget analysis . This has been rather like somebody describing an elephant by only looking at it's tail . 

All the budget talk is about one off  handouts and temporary cuts to petrol prices . Some ordinary folk have wondered where the money for this temporary relief will come from . And the answer is quite simple .  It will come from ordinary folk .  Oh , and people with autism too, naturally .

Let us explain . 

The government has run up a debt of around a trillion quid  .  A trillion can also be written as 1,000,000,000,000 , which seems like a lot .  The interest bill for this debt will be around 20 billion each annum .  That money has to come from somewhere . Fortunately the government has a plan . 

From July 1st  the low and middle income tax offset  ( LAMITO ) will end .  Anybody with an income between 20, 000 and 125 ,000 each annum will lose that tax offset .  This means they will be paying around 50 quid per week more tax .   About 10 million tax payers will be affected , and that will put another 25 billion or so each annum into the government's coffers . 

This will cover the interest bill quite nicely . Or if they prefer , the government can cover two years of fossil fuel subsidies with the savings instead . 

Gabbo has pointed out that support for kids with autism through the National Disability Scheme has also been gutted in this budget .  I guess it's only fair that they also make a contribution .  And it will doubtless raise their self esteem when they discover that they are pulling their weight in these difficult times . 

Of course , things might be different if there is a change of government  , but how likely is that ?

Your comrade , Ken .