Nicky Jones is a credit control clerk in Worcester.

INCOME: Full-time

HOME: No - lives with parents

MORTGAGE: No

FAMILY: One son aged eight-and-a-half

CAR: Yes

MILEAGE: 12,000

BENEFITS: Child Benefit and Family Tax credit

SMOKER: Social smoker

ALCOHOL: Yes

FUEL has already gone up five pence a litre in the last month so, yes, it would have an effect if it went up more.

If VAT were to go up it would be even worse - everything goes up with VAT. I'd definitely be worse off.

As far as the NHS is concerned, we have to do something. Increased taxes would be good if it's going to reduce waiting lists.

Increased duty on tobacco and alcohol will be annoying, but its better than sticking it on the more essential things. I'd like to see more money put into schools - take it off the people who smoke and drink! - and I'd like to see Child Benefit and Family Tax Credit increase.