Michael Fisher gets reaction to budget increases on the old reliables of petrol, tobacco and alcohol.

Retailers say that their profit margin on the sale of cigarettes has been cut to a completely unrealistic level. The tobacco industry also believes that these increases will not help trade and along with the publicans, they are disappointed.

Two pence on a pint will lead to pub closures, according to vintners.

The Automobile Association (AA) also believes that petrol price hikes will lead to further cross border shopping.