Inequality set to increase following budget

Submitted by Kathryn Busby on 24 June 2010

Overall, everyone will pay something, but the people at the bottom of the income scale will pay proportionally less than the people at the top. It is a progressive budget.

Chancellor George Osborne, budget speech, 22 June 2010

Within 48 hours, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the Channel 4 FactCheck blog and numerous other commentators had given their verdict:

This is not a progressive budget.

It will hit the poorest households harder than the rich and lead to an increase in income inequality.

Nick Clegg defended the budget on this morning's Today programme. Read the New Statesman's analysis of his interview.

For an insight into what the budget means for one woman, read Lisa Ansell's powerful blog.