Today marks the start of the new tax year, which brings with it the implementation of new tax initiatives. The government has announced today that it will be implementing tax cuts and increasing benefits to help individuals in the UK deal with the global downturn. Changes to affect taxpayers include increased personal tax allowance (for the 22m paying basic rate); increased child tax credits and working tax credits; increases in the basic state pension and pension credit; and a £190 grant for mums-to-be during their 25th week of pregnancy. Chancellor Alistair Darling said the changes were part of the government's pledge to help UK families and businesses. But the chancellor has come under pressure today from the manufacturer's group EEF, which is urging Darling to implement tax breaks for investment in the upcoming Budget, as it says the sector faces the worst trading conditions for more than three decades.