Jeremy Hunt’s Budget clears first House of Commons hurdle

Jeremy Hunt’s Budget has cleared its first Commons hurdle, amid warnings that it lacks a “bombshell” announcement to turn around the Conservatives’ election prospects.

MPs approved a series of Budget resolutions, which relate to specific proposals for taxation, on Tuesday evening and a Finance Bill will be considered at a later date to give them permanent legal effect.

Chancellor Mr Hunt used the Budget to announce pre-election giveaways, including a 2p cut in national insurance for employees and the self-employed from April and a cut