Budget leaks – and the Leveson deal under pressure: Media and Blog round-up, March 20th 2013

Budget leaks

“George Osborne is under pressure from Conservative MPs to introduce a promised marriage tax allowance to ensure that stay-at-home parents are not penalised by new childcare benefits unveiled by the government on Tuesday. As a charity warned of a “fresh bout of discrimination” against parents who sacrifice their careers to look after their children, one Tory made an 11th-hour appeal to the chancellor before the budget to solve the problem at a stroke by introducing a transferable tax allowance.” – Guardian

“George Osborne will offer meagre help to homebuyers, small businesses and cash-strapped households today as he warns of tough decisions to come. Against a backdrop of growth downgrades and higher than expected borrowing, the Chancellor will admit that he has limited room for manoeuvre. He surprised Cabinet ministers yesterday by squeezing Whitehall budgets by a further £2.5 billion over the next two years. The money will go on extra capital spending, to be announced today. But the move was criticised as being far too little to stimulate an economy teetering on the brink of a triple-dip recession.” – Times(£)

Leveson deal under pressure

“Britain’s reputation as an Internet-friendly creative hub was in jeopardy today as websites voiced their anger at “draconian” attempts to regulate online commentary and news. Some website founders told The Independent that they were considering moving their businesses overseas in order to escape the risk of crippling legal costs resulting from their inclusion within press reforms introduced on Monday in a Royal Charter.” – Independent

“As the smoke clears from the political shoot out on Monday night, views within the press are hardening not just around the prospect of a breakaway challenger press regulator but a full legal challenge to new rules which would mean huge damages awarded in the courts against newspapers that get stories badly wrong.” – Guardian

Other highlights

• Labour tied with Tories on economic competence – Independent
• 20 reasons Osborne should go – Mirror
• No turning back. And no rabbits from hats – Danny Finkelstein, Times (£)
• Osborne’s aim should be to reduce inequality – Left Foot Forward