Economics / Markets

There was good news for first-time buyers and the ISA allowance represents OK news for savers...but there wasn't much else. Advisers give their verdicts.

David Cameron says the biggest risk to the economy "is the Prime Minister," following today's Budget statement.

Undeclared offshore assets will be liable for up to 200% penalties where there is no agreement from the country holding the bank account or assets to automatically disclose them to HMRC.

The Government will slash business rates for a year and create a £4bn support fund to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Chancellor Alistair Darling has frozen the rate of inheritance tax (IHT) at £325,000 for four years.

Chancellor Alistair Darling has pledged to provide a basic bank account for all in his Budget speech.

The Chancellor has made a slight reduction in his optimistic growth forecasts for the coming years, after revising 2009's severe economic contraction up from 4.7% to 5%.

Chancellor Alistair Darling has doubled the threshold for stamp duty to £250,000 for first time buyers (FTBs) in an effort to boost recovery in the housing market.

Follow the Chancellor's key Budget announcements as they happen...

The FTSE edged higher at the start of trading today following a strong showing by US stocks yesterday. As at 8.45 GMT, London's leading index was up 0.2%, or 11 points, to 5684.