‘Chavs’, ‘Fatties’ and ‘Boom Boxes’ Targeted by School Pupils

Contestants in this year’s Fantasy Budget Competition targeted ‘chavs’, ‘fatties’ and ‘boom boxes’ in a bid to take the top prize. A level students from around the country devised numerous topical tax policies. The winners were a team from Liskeard School in Cornwall with their 10% tax on fast food. GCSE students were asked to consider the likely positive and negative implications of a completely new tax system and write a letter explaining their views to the Chancellor. The judges were impressed with the persuasive argument delivered by Birkenhead High School in Merseyside, who scooped the winning prize in the GCSE competition.

Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP presented the winning students and runners up with their prizes at an awards ceremony at the House of Commons.

Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP, Paymaster General, said:

"The tax system is vital to pay for our schools, hospitals and other public services and the Fantasy Budget has given young people the chance to learn more about the role tax plays. I am very pleased to have met the young people participating in the competition today and congratulate them on the effort they have put in to come up with such imaginative and interesting proposals."

The competition is run by Bournemouth University with the support of The Chartered Institute of Taxation and BDO Stoy Hayward.