BRITONS are being warned to brace themselves for tax increases in Chancellor Gordon Brown's budget next week.

The Chancellor is thought to be preparing tax rises of more than £5 billion, some of which will be earmarked for the NHS.

It is predicted Mr Brown will raise National Insurance thresholds rather than increase the basic or top rates of income tax.

Here's what some of our panel think of this move; please tell us what you think.

Kildip James, 33, of York, married with a baby son, Alex.

"Our health service is in a terrible state and I'd rather our taxes go there than go on nuclear weapons and defence.

When you have got people waiting months for an operation, sometimes dying in between, or people being left in corridors, that should not be happening: it's what you would expect in a Third World hospital.

People are getting richer and don't want to part with their money, but that's the wrong attitude. The health service has to be brought up to scratch and the only way is to raise taxes.

When I was in hospital having Alex, staff were working for 12 hours and getting paid very little; the hospital was dirty too. But they all give 100 per cent."

Dorothy Dawson, 63, of York, is chairman of the York Conservative Supper Club.

"We should not raise taxes, but we do need to do something about the NHS. Just throwing money at it will not address the problem. I'd like to see some more imaginative ideas.

I was in hospital last year and I was very well looked after: we are very lucky in York.

There are still things wrong with the health service, but I do think people in this country are taxed too much. We are up to our ears in taxes, but don't seem to be getting any benefits; we haven't got a good transport system, education system and are struggling with the NHS. If I was Chancellor, I'd talk to the medical professionals and ask them where we are going wrong and why do we need more money and where is it for?"

Pamela Egan, 57, of York.

"The NHS has to be paid for somehow and I think we should pay a little bit more tax for essential services such as health, education and transport.

People put money on the Lottery each week, but if we all paid a little bit more tax, schools and hospitals would not have to rely on so much charity.

I've just done some fundraising for York Against Cancer and it makes you think why are we doing it this way?"

Your views on ...

Who will become our favourite Royal following the death of the Queen Mother:

John Robson, of Dringthorpe Road, York:

"I am surprised and disappointed that no one mentioned the Duchess of Kent, who is interested in such good local causes as the Samaritans and the work of the hospice."

Updated: 10:01 Tuesday, April 09, 2002