Alistair Darling wanted to impose a VAT rise above 17.5% in his pre-budget report to raise extra revenue but was persuaded by Gordon Brown to opt for an increase in national insurance instead, government sources disclosed today. Patrick Wintour, The Guardian.

VAT is a pernicious tax which hits those on low incomes much harder – why are so many politicians and pundits intent on making the poor suffer? It’s the rich that got us into the mess why not make them suffer the most?