This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42069508

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Budget aim to help UK 'seize opportunities' from Brexit Budget 2017: Hammond pledges £3bn for Brexit preparations
(35 minutes later)
Chancellor Philip Hammond is delivering his Budget in the House of Commons, promising investment to make Britain "fit for the future". Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced £3bn will be set aside to prepare for Brexit as he delivers his Budget.
Announcements aimed at getting more houses built and some extra cash for the NHS are expected. Mr Hammond said he was also ready to allocate more cash if needed and that the government would prepare for "every possible outcome".
Mr Hammond, who has faced calls from some MPs to ease the government's austerity programme, will also update MPs on the state of the nation's finances. He also unveiled lower growth forecasts and said the economy's productivity remained "stubbornly flat" but that his fiscal targets would be met.
Jeremy Corbyn will respond for Labour. Jeremy Corbyn will respond for Labour, which wants an end to austerity.
Opening his statement, the chancellor said the UK economy "continues to confound those who talk it down" and updated MPs on the latest figures.
The Office for Budget Responsibility's prediction of 1.5% growth for 2017 is lower than the 2% forecast in March's Budget. But predicts borrowing to be lower than it did in March, at £49.9bn.
Announcements aimed at getting more houses built and some extra cash for the NHS are also expected.
One area where there have been calls for an increase in spending is on public sector pay. BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said that while the chancellor would not announce extra cash for nurses' pay, he would promise the government would fund a rise if it is recommended by the independent pay body.One area where there have been calls for an increase in spending is on public sector pay. BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said that while the chancellor would not announce extra cash for nurses' pay, he would promise the government would fund a rise if it is recommended by the independent pay body.
Before Mr Hammond got to his feet, Theresa May and Mr Corbyn clashed during Prime Minister's Questions. Other announcements so far include:
Mr Corbyn called for more action against tax evasion, warning of Britain becoming a "tax haven". The PM said £160bn in tax had been collected because of the government's actions. An early joke
What did we already know would be in the Budget?What did we already know would be in the Budget?
The chancellor is expected to announce more money for teacher training in England and extra cash to boost the numbers of students taking maths after the age of 16. And in a nod to younger voters, discounted rail cards will be extended. The chancellor is expected to announce more money for teacher training in England. And in a nod to younger voters, discounted rail cards will be extended to 26 to 30-year-olds.
An extra £2.3bn for research and development and £1.7bn for transport links are designed to address the UK's lagging productivity.
Extra money is also expected to be found for new charge points for electric cars and for the next generation of 5G mobile networks.
Expect the theme of innovation to ring through the speech, with Mr Hammond hailing the UK as being "at the forefront of a technological revolution".
Isn't the Budget normally in Spring?
Yes, that's the way it's been for the last twenty years. The last one was in March and normally there wouldn't be another one until Spring 2018.
But Mr Hammond thinks late autumn is a more suitable time for tax and spending changes to be announced and scrutinised before the start of the tax year in April. So from now on, Budgets will take place in November.
But aside from the timing, the choreography of Budget day remains the same.
While tradition dictates he can take a swig of his chosen tipple during his speech, Mr Hammond is expected to eschew anything too strong and confine himself to water during what is normally an hour-long statement.
Follow it on the BBC
What's happened since the last Budget?What's happened since the last Budget?
Quite a lot. In the last nine months, the UK has triggered Brexit and begun negotiations on the terms of its departure from the EU.Quite a lot. In the last nine months, the UK has triggered Brexit and begun negotiations on the terms of its departure from the EU.
Economic conditions have changed too, although there is fierce debate about how much of this is attributable to uncertainty and negativity over Brexit.Economic conditions have changed too, although there is fierce debate about how much of this is attributable to uncertainty and negativity over Brexit.
Inflation has risen to 3%, its highest level in five years, while growth has faltered a little.Inflation has risen to 3%, its highest level in five years, while growth has faltered a little.
However, borrowing levels are at a 10-year low, giving Mr Hammond more flexibility, while employment remains at record levels.However, borrowing levels are at a 10-year low, giving Mr Hammond more flexibility, while employment remains at record levels.
The political backdrop has also changed enormously.The political backdrop has also changed enormously.
The loss of their majority in June's election sparked fresh Brexit infighting within the Conservatives.The loss of their majority in June's election sparked fresh Brexit infighting within the Conservatives.
The government has the backing of the DUP, but Mr Hammond - who is distrusted by many on the right of the party - does not have unlimited political capital in the bank.The government has the backing of the DUP, but Mr Hammond - who is distrusted by many on the right of the party - does not have unlimited political capital in the bank.
What do you want to see in today's budget? Are you satisfied with the measures announced so far? Share your views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk You might also be interested in:
Are you satisfied with the measures announced so far? Do you have a question about the Budget? Share your views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below