John O’Connell: To ensure efficient government spending, we need a new Parliamentary Budget Committee

A dedicated body could focus on scrutinising the economy and effectiveness of future plans. Australia and New Zealand already have similar models.

Matt Vickers: I know from experience why the retail sector matters. So have your say on rates today.

Ae consultation on the issue is taking evidence now – and terms of reference for a review will be published in the Budget.

WATCH: “We need to be creative”, says Sunak – as he reveals the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme

The Chancellor announces that VAT for the hospitality industry will be cut from 20 to five per cent, along with other radical measures.

Javid delivers the Budget he never got a chance to – via the Centre for Policy Studies. He wants to go for growth.

It’s a good thing for former senior Ministers to keep thinking, going and contributing, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see a comeback to government.

The economy and the virus. Tear up the rulebook – we need Big State Government on a scale unknown in modern times.

The implications of the crisis are such that Johnson and Sunak need not so much to think outside the box as to trample it to tatters altogether.

Richard Holden: How the Budget will help former Red Wall seats in the north – like the one I represent

The fact that Darlington station was explicitly addressed in his statement is a great sign of how swiftly the Chancellor has mastered the detail of his brief.

Henry Hill: Davies pivots in a devosceptic direction as he ‘relaunches’ his leadership

Also: Gove warns the Electoral Commission not to ‘waste time’ on SNP demands; Scottish Nationalists showing the strain as problems mount; and more.

Budget 1) This was less a Conservative Budget than “the People’s Budget”. From a Vote Leave Government – not the usual Tory one.

It may be necessary, given the Coronavirus, and could even work. But Britain has a long, long record of state spending failing to turbo-charge growth.

Andrew Gimson’s Budget sketch: Sunak the model schoolboy dominates the House

The Government has a new star.

“The central judgement I’m making is to fund an additional £175bn over the next five years.” The Chancellor’s speech: full text

“The OBR have said that today’s Budget will be the largest sustained fiscal boost for thirty years.”

WATCH: “A People’s Budget from a People’s Government.” Sunak’s Speech.

“This is the Budget of a Government that gets things done…A Budget that delivers on our promises.”

Link to Treasury documents

The Budget document itself, plus a summary of the measures, costings, data sources and distributional analysis.

WATCH: The Chancellor’s three-point Budget plan to help tackle the Coronavirus

In his debut Budget, Sunak promises quicker access to benefits, statutory sick pay for all who self-isolate – and money for the NHS “whatever it costs”.

Andy Street: Jobs are what will help us level up the economy

For the Conservatives to fulfil their promise of “levelling up” the UK, they must create ample employment opportunities.

The Budget we want will have to wait

The Coronavirus will punch a hole in Sunak’s sums sufficient to throw levelling-up, Boosterism, Brexit bonuses – what have you – off course.