Economics / Markets

Chancellor George Osborne has confirmed £20bn will be made available to small and medium sized businesses through a government-backed scheme.

The Chancellor has set out plans to clamp down on the use of tax loopholes and reliefs as part of a raft of measures targeting the wealthy.

Corporation tax is to be reduced from 26% to 24% from 1 April in an attempt to attract business investment.

Chancellor George Osborne has confirmed he will consult on launching perpetual gilts and gilts with a life longer than 50 years, despite a wave of criticism from potential investors.

Chancellor George Osborne said UK inflation will come down signficantly by the end of the year.

Keep up to date with all the key points from the Chancellor's Budget as they happen.

Two members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee called for further stimulus to offset the UK's lacklustre growth, the minutes of the latest meeting have revealed.

Asian markets snapped gains made over the past week as renewed fears of a slowdown in China's economy weighed on investors.

George Osborne is set to announce a reduction in the top rate of income tax - but with implementation postponed for a year, according to reports.

BUDGET 2012