British Chancellor Gordon Brown handed a pre-election bonus to hard-pressed home buyers and pensioners today.
In what may be his last Budget, he gave OAPs a £200 council tax refund and promised them free local bus travel.
And he doubled the point at which stamp duty is paid by home buyers from £60,000 to £120,000.
He also put a freeze on a range of taxes, promising no rise in fuel duty until September, a freeze on corporation tax, capital gains tax, air passenger duty, insurance premium tax and company car tax. He put 1p on a pint of beer, 4p on a bottle of wine, 7p on a packet of cigarettes but froze duty on spirits, cider and sparkling wine.
But it was the stamp duty move and the pensioners' handout which caught the eye - exceeding pre-budget speculation in their generosity. Commentators had been expecting an increase in the stamp duty threshold to £100,000.
Hailing other measures including extra cash for schools and tax cuts for families, Mr Brown told MPs: "So I have been able to cut stamp duty, to help savers and to bring about a family tax cut - and at the same time to invest in the best start in life for every child and the best opportunities for every young person.
"We have made our choice. Affordable tax cuts and essential spending increases." The Chancellor hailed the low inflation rate and strong growth as he unveiled a Budget he said was designed to promote stability while giving extra help to Britain's hard-working families and pensioners.
With the expected poll only weeks away, he insisted he would take no risks with the country's economy. He opened his speech with a now-familiar boast. "Britain is today experiencing the longest period of sustained economic growth since records began in the year 1701.
"And the foundation of this Budget is our determination to maintain British stability and growth." Mr Brown said the UK's long-term prosperity could only be secured "if we make the right decisions to be world leaders in science, enterprise and education".
But he added that family prosperity could only be secured if a strong economy was matched with investments to "help parents balance work and family life, to give every child the best possible start in life, and to deliver a fair deal for pensioners".