The 2015 budget as it happens...............

So folks its the last chance for Mr Osbourne to make a national impression on us all in today's budget and the last  one prior the General Election on 7th May 2015, so here are the highlights as they go live:

Highlights from Osbourne's opening gambit:

Osborne says he reports on a Britain that is growing, creating jobs and paying its ways. We took difficult decisions ... and it worked. Britain is walking tall again.

• Britain grew faster last year than any other major economy.
• More people have jobs in Britain than ever before.
• Living standards will be higher than in 2010.
• The deficit has fallen by a half.
• And bank shares are being sold, and taxpayers’ money recovered
•  Osborne says the OBR has confirmed Britain grew buy 2.6% last year.
•  OBR forecast growth has been revised upwards, at 2.5% this year, 2.3% next year and for the following two years, and 2.4% in 2019.
• Unemployment forecast down this year to 5.3%. Its lowest rate since 1975. 
• National minimum wage up from 
• GDP per capita is up 5%
•  Osborne says he can afford real increases in the national minimum wage. By the end of the decade it will be more than £8.
• Forecast for inflation at 0.2% for this year
•  Osborne announces sale of £13bn of mortgage assets from Northern Rock and Bradford and Bingley to be sold.
• Lloyds Bank assets worth £9bn also being sold.

 Budget changes and more to follow...................


Best regards