CBI boss Richard Lambert's six paragraph

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

This problem is compounded by the fact that the capacity of HM Treasury has been stretched in recent months by the problems at Northern Rock, and by work on necessary reforms to the banking system.

The government has recently set out its spending plans fo the next three years. It now looks likely that I will need to revisit them to some degree next year. What we require before then is a serious debate about the longer term fiscal strategy.

As for the revenue side, the economic outlook has deteriorated significantly since my pre-Budget review. This is no time to be imposing increased taxes affecting business, and I have decided to postpone all these proposals for this year. Nor is it a time to be making other complex changes to the tax system, or to constrain consumer demand.

A finance bill is required to set allowances and other rates. The House will be pleased to know that this year's bill will extend to six pages, as compared with 305 last year.

But for rest, and in these unusual circumstances, I have decide to keep this year's Budget statement to the bare minimum.