Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne delivered his second Budget yesterday (Wednesday) against a background of a shortage of public finance and inflation rising to 4.4% from 4% in January. The Chancellor said he did not need to impose further pain – that had already been announced in previous Budgets with a number of measures due to come into place next month – and so focused on a Budget for growth. Inside are the headline announcements impacting on the fleet and motor industry.

COMPANY car benefit-in-kind tax thresholds will tighten by 5 g/km on April 6, 2013 with the Chancellor confirming already announced thresholds for the next two financial years

EMPLOYEES who are in receipt of company-funded fuel used privately will see their benefit-in-kind tax bills rise from April 6.

The Chancellor confirmed in the Budget that the fuel benefit charge multiplier will increase from £18,000 to £18,800, while the van fuel

AMONG other measures already announced but reconfirmed by the Chancellor was the 1% rise in National Insurance rates for employees and employers from April 6.

That means that employees will pay 12% on earnings (+ a further 2% on weekly earnings above the upper earning limit of £817). Employers will see their