Bygone budgets: April 1979

Denis Healey's last budget was to prove the last Labour budget for 18 years. After having been defeated on a confidence motion in the House of Commons in March, the Labour government breathed its last with this caretaker-like affair. Although Mr Healey talked up the economy, Labour MPs were disappointed at the lack of electioneering in the budget. Shadow chancellor Sir Geoffrey Howe, contemplating the economic situation he hoped to inherit, said Mr Healey "will have left a dreadful inheritance for the next chancellor".

Income tax personal allowances
All income tax personal allowances increased in line with the inflation rate of 8.9%.

Child tax allowances
Child tax allowances abolished.

Child benefit
Child benefit increased to £4 a week.