Rudd returns to help sell May’s deal

She didn’t establish herself as a strategic Home Secretary, but is a highly effective media performer.

“We have gone from no deal is better than a bad deal, to any deal is better than no deal.” McVey’s resignation letter – full text

“I cannot defend this, and I cannot vote for this deal. I could not look my constituents in the eye were I to do that. I therefore have no alternative but to resign…”

Robert Halfon: How the patronising metropolitan elites wrinkled up their noses at more money for potholes

Plus: Unsung Conservative heroes. The Centre for Rocket Studies. And: why do we need the traditional, three-year University course?

Tom Clougherty: Make Work Pay. A new agenda from the CPS for fairer taxes – including an end to pernicious marginal rates.

If one of a couple claiming the marriage allowance becomes a higher rate taxpayer, there is a 23,800 per cent marginal tax rate on the first penny over the threshold.

Howard Flight: The best part of a week on, we can see that last week’s Budget was a popular one

The Chancellor has been fortunate that the public finances have improved substantially at a particularly convenient time.

George Freeman: There was much to cheer in the Budget. But now we need an inspiring programme for growth.

At the moment, we are treading water and appear to be relying on popular support for Brexit, and the threat of Corbyn, to keep us in office.

A Budget with a message for Conservative MPs. Nice little seat you have there. Pity if anything happened to it.

In sum, Hammond said: vote for May’s Deal – or the economy gets it. But there’s more than one way of dicing the next election result.

John Glen: The Chancellor proved yesterday that the hard work we’ve all put in is paying off

But although the era of austerity is coming to a close, we are emphatically not rejecting the need for ongoing discipline with the public finances.

“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.”

Sponsored Post: Charlotte Woodworth – The Chancellor must fill the funding gap undermining Universal Credit

New research from 38 Degrees shows how this flagship policy could become a real political headache for the Conservatives.

Hammond has one task only in next week’s Budget. To show that the Government is preparing for No Deal.

The Chancellor’s recent claims of a coming “Deal Dividend” sent the wrong message at the wrong time – and showed up a deep Treasury malaise.

Robert Halfon: Here’s the Worker’s Budget we need next week

In the second article of our mini-series, the Harlow MP calls for a relentless focus on the cost of living, a skills-based economy, social injustices and affordable housing.

WATCH: Mercer tells Commons that welfare reform is crucial to rewarding work

“You cannot marry the idea that you should bin universal credit with a commitment to improving the life chances of our most vulnerable constituents.”

WATCH: Duncan Smith. Universal Credit must be funded properly to be transformative

“For the last two and a half years I’ve proposed that we put the money that has been taken out back in.”

Universal Credit where Universal Credit is due

If the Budget choice this year is between supporting the new system or raising tax thresholds, the answer is a no brainer.