实用英语：The Budget 财政预算
It's the time of year when the British taxpayer finds out how much the costof beer, cigarettes and petrol - amongst other things - will go up in the coming
twelve months.
The Budget is the annual financial statement and review of the levels of
taxation. The Budget speech includes a statement of the Government's medium-term
financial strategy and the short-term economic forecast.
Taxes are used by the government to try to control the British economy as
well as to raise revenue to meet expenditure for the year.
However, people are mainly interested in how changes in taxes and benefits
will affect them. For example, if income tax goes up they will have less money,
but parents may be happy because child benefit has risen.
The Budget speech is prepared and delivered by the finance minister, known
as the chancellor of the exchequer, or simply 'the chancellor' for short.
A number of traditions surround the Budget speech. For example, the
chancellor gets to his feet in the House of Commons at 12:30 pm. He is heard
uninterrupted by members of parliament.
According to tradition, the chancellor is allowed to drink alcohol during
the speech, though these days water is preferred.
The statement lasts about an hour. Afterwards, the leader of the opposition
gets a chance to respond and criticise the government's plans. Four days of
general debate follow.
This year's Budget is the first since Gordon Brown became prime minister.
Alistair Darling, his replacement at the Treasury, makes his first Budget speech
since becoming chancellor.
GLOSSARY 词汇表
taxpayer
纳税人
the budget
预算
financial statement
财政报告
taxation
税收
medium-term financial strategy
中期金融策略
short-term economic forecast
短期经济前景预报
revenue
收入
expenditure
支出
benefits
福利
income tax
个人所得税
child benefit
儿童福利
finance minister
财政部长
chancellor of the exchequer
(英国对财政部长的称呼)财政大臣
House of Commons
下院(众议院)
uninterrupted
不被打断的
members of parliament
议会成员
leader of the opposition
反对党领导
criticise
批评
general debate
广泛的讨论
the Treasury
财政部
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