What will the Budget mean for local government?

For councils – unlike others in the public sector – austerity has been real. It is ending. But planning powers are being diminished.

Andrew Gimson’s Budget sketch: Behind his jokey Christmas uncle act, Hammond defended sound money

The despondent faces of grown-up people on the Labour benches suggested they know his measures will be very hard to oppose.

“Under this Conservative Government austerity is coming to an end – but discipline will remain.” – Hammond’s Budget speech, full text

“Now we have reached a defining moment on this, long, hard journey. Opening a new chapter in our country’s economic history.”

WATCH: Hammond says he’d need a new Budget in the event of no-deal Brexit

“The approach that I’m going to be setting out tomorrow is based on the assumption, as is the OBR’s report, of a deal being done with the European Union.”

Joel Davidson and Amir Sadjady: Bold measures are needed from Hammond next week to save our high streets

Not only are Business Rates too high,but the system of appeals to the Valuation Office is too complicated and remote.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Abide with me! fast falls the eventide

An ominous calm reigned and one half expected the Prime Minister to choose a hymn to match.

Andrew Lilico: Next week, Hammond must present a Budget for Brexit

In the first article of a new mini-series, the economist urges the Chancellor to deploy the savings and revenues secured by leaving the EU.

Bob Blackman: The Treasury must settle its debt of honour with the Equitable Life victims

£2.6 billion of the sum the government accepted as the compensation owed has still not been paid.

Craig Mackinlay: To free up more housing, reduce punitive tax rates on selling second homes

Under the current regime, the tax avoidance measure is to simply hang onto the property until death. The Chancellor should fix that flaw.

Alex Morton: A win for those spending Ministers would be a defeat for the taxpayer – not just Hammond and Truss

The Comprehensive Spending Review has to be seen as a way to reset the narrative. Government need to focus on reform as a positive – not expenditure.

“I can break her” – Williamson’s war for defence spending intensifies, and targets the Prime Minister

What is the Defence Secretary up to? Why now? And is the extraordinary threat he is reported to have made true?

James Frayne: The NHS spending announcement should be a medium-term winner for the Conservatives

There is zero chance that the public are going to back any meaningful reform of the service any time soon.

Dominic Cummings, NHS hero

The Vote Leave director is the onlie begetter of this cashfest. But we’ve said it before and say it again: Britain can’t tax its way to prosperity – or a better health service.

Which taxes should Tories cut? 1) Sam Dumitriu: No virtue-signalling giveaways, hammer taxes that hold back growth

After our recent series asked ‘What should Tories tax?’, the Adam Smith Institute’s Head of Research kicks off a new mini-series seeking routes to lower taxes.

Nicky Morgan: It’s too soon to abandon fiscal discipline, but the Spring Statement is a chance to communicate our vision

Day-to-day spending being brought back into balance is good news, and it makes some spending decisions easier, but beware hype about the ‘end of austerity’.