Not Perfect - But a Lot Better

I seem to have spent a lot of time watching the news and holding my breath lately but - for the moment - I think I can begin to relax.

The Liberal Democrat and Conservative Coalition has scrapped the planned one per cent hike in National Insurance Contributions for many (I think in most cases, most!) staff members. The hike will still affect staff earning more than £20,800 per annum - but that will allow many businesses to retain employees and/or to take on new staff without worrying about incurring major tax increases.

This is a good beginning - not perfect, but a lot better than we might have expected had the old regime continued unchanged. Perhaps - at last - we will see the unemployment figures begin to drop and signs of real recovery for everyone.

Before we begin to celebrate, though, let's wait for the emergency budget, set for June 22nd. There'll be live coverage for that - Which is certainly going to be keeping us all well up to date on the Which? Money Liveblog and the BBC will be there as usual - so I suppose I shall be glued to the PC yet again.

I have to say, however, that I have hopes for the budget - and for the Coalition, which I think has every chance of working out well.