Alistair Darling has revealed a new tax amnesty inviting holders of offshore accounts to disclose any unpaid tax and settle up or face repercussions.

The investment industry has given its support to the £3,000 increase in the tax free ISA saving limit but the Government has attracted criticism for only allowing over-50s to benefit from the measure this year.

Mortgage experts have dismissed the Budget's housing proposals as 'largely ineffectual' and say the Government should have gone further to boost the market, especially on stamp duty.

The Government has announced legislation to restore the non-payable dividend tax credit for offshore funds which are largely invested in equities.

Enterprise investment schemes will see a number of improvements implemented to the schemes in this year's Finance Act.

Removing higher-rate tax relief for the well paid will undermine the A-Day agreement and sends out the wrong message on pension savings.

The UK Government has announced plans to issue more than £220bn worth of government bonds this financial year, well above the expected level.

Income tax will rise to 50% for high earners to help the Treasury keep the budget deficit under control.

The Conservative leader has savaged the Government's predictions of an economic upturn, and blamed Labour for ruining the UK's finances.

Alistair Darling has revealed he will shortly publish a report on the reform of financial regulation, which will propose increased powers for the regulator.