It has become obvious to me whilst reading back over this thread that some people have no idea what real poverty is... even in our own country. They pontificate about certain stereotypes they seem to recognise but the truth about poverty is not apparent. When people are living on or below the 'bread line' ... they are the real poor... and any increase in tax of any sort is a punishment for them. They have no reserves to call on to meet an increase. When people are interviewed on TV about the budget and how the increase will affect them.. they are mostly presentable middle or lower middle class people who will have to draw in the purse strings a bit to meet the rise... not those who have nothing left to meet it!!!