Seeking to create political dividing lines with the Conservatives by making a case for intervention, the Chancellor provided only a small lift to a struggling economy over the coming year through a phased increase in fuel duties and a two-year stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers paid for by a 5% "mansion tax" on property sales of more than £1m.
AT-A-GLANCE
- Deficit not as big as predicted
- First time buyers stamp duty cut
- Planned petrol duty rise staggered
- 20,000 university places pledged
- Force state banks to lend more
- Crackdown on tax evasion
- Tax hike on strong cider
- Growth package to boost jobs
- Bank accounts for all citizens
- Green investment fund
Read the full Guardian article here.
