What we want

There was a mixed response to Gordon Brown's pre-Budget statement last November. Leading pressure groups are hoping the chancellor will be generous when he stands up to deliver what is almost certainly the last Budget before the election.

Age Concern

Age Concern welcomed last year's pre-Budget statement in which Mr Brown pledged to boost the basic state pension to £92.15 from April. However, it is hoping that the chancellor will use some of his surplus to increase pensions by even more. It also wants the Budget to include plans to boost the personal allowance of the over-65s to take more of them out of the tax net.

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Road Haulage Association

The Road Haulage Association welcomed Mr Brown's promise in his pre-Budget report to freeze duties on fuel until April 2002. However, it wants the chancellor to go further in his Budget and cut excise duties so that they come into line with the rest of Europe.

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Confederation of British Industry

The CBI has called on Mr Brown to reduce the burden of taxation on business. It has argued for tax cuts of up to £2bn to boost investment in business. However, it has warned the chancellor against a giveaway Budget saying it could stoke up inflation, lead to an increase in interest rates and damage business.

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National Farmers Union

The NFU wants Mr Brown to take the foot-and-mouth crisis into account when he delivers his Budget. It wants him to exempt farmers from the proposed climate change levy and pesticides tax. It has also called on the chancellor to tackle high fuel taxes and to give incentives to farmers to invest in their business.

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Child Poverty Action Group

The CPAG is adamant that the chancellor should put targeted tax cuts to help poorer families ahead of any income tax cuts or repayment of the national debt. It has called for a £15-a-week increase in the child tax credit and matched by a £5-a-week increase in the working families tax credit. It also wants "a significant increase" in child benefit.

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Low Pay Unit

The Low Pay Unit wants the chancellor to announce targeted tax cuts for families. It wants to increases in the working families tax credit and child benefit and ensure help is given to those on low incomes. It also wants Mr Brown to back plans to set up a new agency to enforce employment regulations such as tax credits, maternity leave and working time regulations.

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Friends of the Earth

Friends of the Earth is against any cut in fuel duty rates. It warns that cuts would do nothing to encourage people to drive less. It also wants to see more being done to promote public transport, including tax breaks for people who buy season tickets and a US-style school bus service for children.

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Fabian Society

The Fabian Society argues against too much emphasis on tax cuts, suggesting that spending of various kinds can achieve more of the chancellor's objectives. It believes that poverty is best tackled by increasing benefit levels, particularly for families with children. Increased spending on childcare would benefit all working parents. The Fabians also proposes boosting investment in renewable energy.

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Centre for Policy Studies

The Centre for Policy Studies says it believes the chancellor should simplify the tax system by scrapping the 10 pence starting rate and bringing the basic rate down from 23p to 20p. It argues for some clarity from Mr Brown on how he plans to fund his future spending committments and suggests there should be no increase in duties on alcohol, cigarettes and fuel.