Spinning a line

There was a time when budget plans were kept strictly secret until budget day. No longer, obviously. The Guardian reports that the Chancellor:

... is expected to increase road tax on the worst polluting vehicles while reducing excise duties for owners of more fuel-efficient cars. Taxes on so-called "gas guzzlers" bought new since April are expected to double to about £400 over the next two years, while most cars owners will face inflation-linked increases. The lowest emission cars will continue to be free of excise duties.

A similar story appears in The Independent (here) and The Times (here).

It rather detracts from the surprise element of the budget. And it is so obviously co-ordinated leaking for effect.