Economics

It took George Osborne a little under one hour to deliver his second package of measures as Chancellor today.

Investment Week's sister publication IFAonline brings you all the key points from today's Budget...

The governor of the Bank of England has warned inflation could top 5% because of rising inflation expectations and higher commodity prices.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) are split 6-3 against a rate rise for the second month, with opinion divided on how to tackle soaring inflation without snuffing out growth.

WHY UK HAS REAL RATE PROBLEM

UK blue chip shares saw losses at opening following declines overnight in global markets.

J.P. Morgan's Nick Gartside has revised his economic outlook to include a 15% chance of stagflation, as the UK posts 4.4% inflation for February.

BEATING INFLATION

Inflation hit 4.4% in February, up from 4% in January, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) - heaping more pressure on the Bank of England to hike interest rates.

The Chancellor will use Wednesday's Budget to announce the biggest clampdown on tax avoidance since 2004, raising twice as much as the £500m a year predicted when the initiative was launched last December.