Case Study: Company car driver

'It's maybe time to look at having a private car'

Tamsin Johnston

PR manager for RAC

Age: 36

Home: King's Norton, Birmingham. Lives alone

Income: £33,000

Savings: About £1,000

Company benefits: Company car, contributory pension, Bupa health cover

Outgoings (per month): Mortgage £400, gym £25

Politics: Floating voter, tends to opt for Tories

Hopes for Budget: More emphasis on education, NHS, public services

Actual effect of Budget: £90 per year worse off, due to increase in income tax on company car and benefits (£62), and National Insurance (£64), offset by decrease in Income Tax payments (£36)

"My company car is a convenience; it gives me peace of mind, but with this increase of £90 on car costs, I think it's time to start looking at the financial benefits. There is an "opt-out" scheme with our company, and I will be looking into this. I have a fuel card, and pay tax on the card. It's a convenience, like a credit card ... [but] it's not worth it financially when you are taxed on petrol. I will weigh up the pros and cons.

"In general I thought it was a good Budget. I am pleased money has gone into education, health and to local authorities.

"I find the emphasis on defence against terrorism very reassuring. I am also pleased that stamp duty has been frozen. It is also good that money is going into roads. But I think more money should be put into public transport. I find it ironic that 4p has been put on bottles of wine, but no increase on spirits. Red wine has medicinal benefits ... the Budget doesn't really reflect that."

Genevieve Roberts