First-time buyers struggling to raise a deposit have received a boost with the announcement of a new scheme to help them get on to the property ladder.
The price of a pint of beer is set to rise by up to 10p, more pubs will close and thousands of jobs will be lost after the Government pressed ahead with planned alcohol tax rises, campaigners have warned.
Cigarette smokers face a jump of up to 50 pence on a packet of 20 from 6pm on Wednesday despite the Chancellor sticking to Labour's previously announced plans to raise tobacco duty by 2% above inflation, the tobacco industry said.
Business and union leaders clashed over the measures in the Budget and whether they will tackle growing unemployment and make it easier for firms to hire staff.
