Tax and benefit changes announced over the past 18 months will come into force on Friday, affecting millions. The amount of income that is tax free is to rise by £630 to £8,105. The value of some benefits will rise by 5.2%, linked to inflation last September. But the time couples with children will have to work to qualify for working tax credits will rise from 16 to 24 hours. Labour said it would "clobber" families but the government said there would be 15 times as many winners as losers. The beginning of the tax year on 6 April will see a significant number of changes to tax and benefits - affecting personal and family finances.
Measures which were announced by the government in the 2011 Budget, as well as last year's autumn statement, are only now taking effect.

They range from increasing the first chunk of income that is tax free - known as the personal allowance - to the annual upgrading of benefits, as well as specific spending cuts.....Read more here