Prime minister Tony Blair met with Gordon Brown yesterday to discuss the final details of the Budget to be announced on Wednesday.

New predictions include a freeze on petrol duty for the second year in a row, and a new child tax credit for families where one parent stays at home.

Tougher checks on private hospitals are also expected to be announced, while owners of small-engined motorbikes could face lower road tax.

Duty could also be scrapped on bingo cards.

But a freeze on petrol duty has been attacked by transport adviser David Begg.

Blair and Brown are expected to hold further talks before tomorrow's Budget announcement.

The expected tax rises will leave British households paying the highest level of personal tax in Europe, it is estimated.

A new poll published today sends a mixed message to the chancellor.

The NOP poll for the Bradford and Bingley found that 46 per cent of voters favoured an increase in income tax to fund more investment in public services, compared to 49 per cent who would prefer a tax cut.