Dear listener,

In Money Box this week:

As Gordon Brown polishes his red box what can we expect from Wednesday's Budget – which will probably be his last? We talk to the director of a respected think tank who says every household is paying £1,300 a year more tax now than in 1996/97. A report into the future of council tax will also be published on Wednesday. How will you be affected?

The Information Commissioner makes nine banks, two building societies and the Post Office sign promises to take care of our personal data. He acted after credit cards, account details, and even the odd PIN were found dumped in bins outside branches. The banks say they are taking data protection seriously. The Information Commissioner says he will make sure they do.

In just 10 weeks anyone selling their home will have to have an Energy Performance Certificate stating how green their home is. But why is the government storing all this data centrally? And will buyers really be influenced by it?

Credit unions are moving into the mainstream as nine of them start to offer current accounts as well as savings and loans. Are they now a real alternative to the banks?

And is this the beginning of the end of Equitable Life? The boss tells us the 245 year old society could be sold off completely by the end of 2008.

That’s Money Box – live on Saturday at noon, repeated Sunday at 9pm and any time (after midday) on the web.

Best wishes,

Paul Lewis

e-mail Paul Lewis