2009 budget not great for gay dating
Gay Dating Not Helped By 2009 Budget
The Chancellor delivered his 2009 budget yesterday, amongst the most ominous economic circumstances most of us will have ever encountered. Later this year the UK is forecast to be £175 billion in debt , and that’s assuming the economy picks up!
We’ve taken a look at the 2009 budget from a gay dating point of view - how can we expect the budget to affect the costs of romancing another guy, or cruising for a casual hook-up?
Alcohol Duties up 2%
Gay venues have had it tough for a few years, and this is all they need. Not only are they dealing with the seismic shift in gay cruising away from bars and clubs and onto gay dating websites, but the smoking ban has also hurt trade (gay men are between 44% and 100% more likely to smoke - see gay smoking).
So if you’re planning on taking your date out for a drink, it is going to cost you more. That’s if your local gay pub is still there.
Mothership Verdict: MINUS
7p on Cigarettes
The extra 7p on cigarettes is on top of any annual increase imposed by the tobacco companies. If you enjoy a cigarette to help you relax when you’re cruising or with your date then it is going to cost you more. So will that post-coital cigarette if all goes well 
Mothership Verdict: MINUS
2p on a Litre of Fuel
At least this one doesn’t kick in until September. After then if you’re driving to the theatre, restaurant, heath, cottage or his home, it is all going to cost you more! Sex on the back seat is still free though 
Don’t think you’ve escaped if you don’t have a car. Higher fuel prices push up everyone’s costs, and are reflected in higher prices across the board.
Mothership Verdict: MINUS
Car Scrappage
For a moment we wondered if this may be a positive. Trade in your old banger and you get £2000 off your brand new car! Trouble is, what self-respecting gay man drives a car over 10 years old? Potential plus if you’re a car salesman and you get lots of fit lads with old bangers visiting your showroom.
Mothership Verdict: NEUTRAL
Deflation
Not a budget decision as such, but the Chancellor’s report predicted deflation of -3% later this year. In theory this means that costs may come down, and you may pay less for your restaurant meal, flowers, wine, condoms and even your gay dating sites. However don’t be fooled, even if the price does come down, the value of your money has gone up, so the price may not be any cheaper in real terms.
A deflationary economony is no good for anyone, and this cannot be a good thing.
Mothership Verdict: MINUS
A Question of Balance
Cruising online is not expensive
On balance the 2009 budget is not great for those of us looking for love or casual fun. However, let’s not get depressed about it. Thanks to the internet gay dating has become more powerful and effective than ever - and a lot cheaper too.
And maybe you’ll remember, the next time you’re having incredible sex with that fit lad you’ve been cruising…the best things in life are free.
by staff writer
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