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 7 Version 8
Budget 2017 cuts stamp duty for first time buyers Budget 2017 cuts stamp duty for first time buyers
(35 minutes later)
Chancellor Philip Hammond has abolished stamp duty for most first-time buyers in England and Wales in his Budget.Chancellor Philip Hammond has abolished stamp duty for most first-time buyers in England and Wales in his Budget.
The change, effective immediately, will apply to the first £300,000 of a home's value, saving first-time buyers £5,000.The change, effective immediately, will apply to the first £300,000 of a home's value, saving first-time buyers £5,000.
Mr Hammond also promised £1.5bn to "address concerns" about the flagship universal credit scheme, and unveiled lower growth forecasts.Mr Hammond also promised £1.5bn to "address concerns" about the flagship universal credit scheme, and unveiled lower growth forecasts.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the government had a "record of failure with a forecast of more to come".Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the government had a "record of failure with a forecast of more to come".
Mr Hammond's statement came with him under pressure from Eurosceptic Tory MPs and others calling for more spending to ease austerity.Mr Hammond's statement came with him under pressure from Eurosceptic Tory MPs and others calling for more spending to ease austerity.
Other key pledges included: What were the other key announcements?
The key housing announcements Mr Hammond - who has been accused by Eurosceptic MPs of being too pessimistic about life outside the EU - said £3bn would be spent on Brexit planning, and that the government would prepare for "every possible outcome".
The government will also spend an extra £2.8bn on the NHS in England up to 2022.
Housing. What's changing?
Housing had been billed as one of the key themes of the Budget - and the chancellor promised the "next generation" that getting on the housing ladder would not be just a "dream".Housing had been billed as one of the key themes of the Budget - and the chancellor promised the "next generation" that getting on the housing ladder would not be just a "dream".
Promising the government would deliver 300,000 new homes a year, he pledged £44bn capital investment and measures aimed at getting building projects started.Promising the government would deliver 300,000 new homes a year, he pledged £44bn capital investment and measures aimed at getting building projects started.
And towards the end of his speech he made the pledge on stamp duty, which is paid by people buying properties over a certain value.And towards the end of his speech he made the pledge on stamp duty, which is paid by people buying properties over a certain value.
Rates vary across the UK - in England and Northern Ireland it kicks in at £125,000, in Scotland at £145,000 and £150,000 in Wales. Rates vary across the UK - in England, Wales and Northern Ireland it kicks in at £125,000 - and in Scotland, which has its own devolved tax - at £145,000.
Mr Hammond said his change would benefit 95% of first-time buyers.Mr Hammond said his change would benefit 95% of first-time buyers.
What were the universal credit changes?What were the universal credit changes?
Another high-profile announcement was on universal credit, which is the government's major reform to the way benefits are paid and is currently being rolled out across the UK.Another high-profile announcement was on universal credit, which is the government's major reform to the way benefits are paid and is currently being rolled out across the UK.
Campaigners and MPs in all parties have been calling for changes to the way it is managed.Campaigners and MPs in all parties have been calling for changes to the way it is managed.
The £1.5bn will remove a mandatory seven-day wait after someone submits a claim, taking the overall wait down from six weeks to five.The £1.5bn will remove a mandatory seven-day wait after someone submits a claim, taking the overall wait down from six weeks to five.
Mr Hammond also said it would become easier for claimants to receive an advance.Mr Hammond also said it would become easier for claimants to receive an advance.
The economic pictureThe economic picture
Opening his statement, the chancellor said the UK economy "continues to confound those who talk it down" and updated MPs on the latest figures.Opening his statement, the chancellor said the UK economy "continues to confound those who talk it down" and updated MPs on the latest figures.
But he unveiled lower growth forecasts and said that UK productivity remains "stubbornly flat".But he unveiled lower growth forecasts and said that UK productivity remains "stubbornly flat".
The Office for Budget Responsibility's prediction of 1.5% growth for 2017 is lower than the 2% forecast in March's Budget. But it predicts borrowing to be lower than it did in March, at £49.9bn.The Office for Budget Responsibility's prediction of 1.5% growth for 2017 is lower than the 2% forecast in March's Budget. But it predicts borrowing to be lower than it did in March, at £49.9bn.
On Brexit, Mr Hammond - who has been accused by Eurosceptic MPs of being too pessimistic about life outside the EU - said he was also ready to allocate more cash if needed and that the government would prepare for "every possible outcome". What did the BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg think?
The government will also spend an extra £2.8bn on the NHS in England up to 2022. It wasn't a drama - it wasn't a Budget that would inspire queues at the Box Office.
No surprise. When "Box Office Phil" was given that nickname, it wasn't because he has a reputation for delivering political thrillers.
What he tried to do was to act on concerns expressed at the general election and by rebels on the Tory backbenches as well as the Labour opposition.
A lighter momentA lighter moment
You might also be interested in:You might also be interested in:
Do you have a question about the Budget? Are you satisfied with the measures announced so far? Share your views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukDo you have a question about the Budget? Are you satisfied with the measures announced so far? 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