The pasty tax, 2012
George Osborne was accused of an “omnishambles” budget in 2012, when he unveiled an increase VAT on some hot foods. It was dubbed the “pasty tax” and Osborne was forced into a climbdown.
National insurance, 2017
There was an embarrassing U-turn last year when Philip Hammond planned to increase national insurance contributions for the self employed. The chancellor was accused of acting against working people, and eventually promised no increase in self-employed NI rates for the rest of this parliament.
10p tax rate, 2008
Alistair Darling was forced to water down plans to abolish the 10p tax rate in 2008 after a revolt on the Labour benches. Labour MPs felt would hurt the poorest workers.
Disability benefit cuts, 2016
David Cameron and George Osborne had to abandon changes to disability benefits when Iain Duncan Smith resigned following the 2016 budget. The changes would have cost people claiming personal independence payments £4.4bn.
Tax credits, 2015
George Osborne ran into trouble when he announced changes to tax credits. He was forced to abandon the plan within four months. The change was slated to provide £4bn of the £12bn welfare cut promised in the Tory manifesto.
