With a general election looming in Britain next year, the British Chancellor, Mr Gordon Brown's pre-Budget report in November was as much a political statement as a guide to future fiscal policy.
In the short term, however, Mr Brown was forced to deal with the twin demands of pensioners, disgusted by April's 75 pence rise in the basic state pension, and angry fuel protesters who brought the country to a standstill in September over the duty on fuel.
Mr Brown didn't directly address the fuel protesters' demands. But he acknowledged the difficulties facing the industry and released a few billion pounds from his infamous election "war chest" to pay for a two-year freeze on fuel duty.
The "thrifty" Chancellor continues to march ahead with plans to wean the elderly off the state and encourage today's workers to save early for their retirement. To that end, the government has promised extra help for pensioners with modest savings. But with an eye on next year's election, the state pension will go up by £5 sterling (€3.1) a year for a single person and £8 sterling (€4.9) for a couple in April.
The Comprehensive Spending Review has earmarked £43 billion sterling (€26 billion) for public spending on the country's ailing public services. It is thought unlikely that interest rates will rise due to increased public spending because Mr Brown has kept within prudent financial rules. The government is also expected to post a £16.6 billion sterling (€10.2 billion) surplus on this year's budget.