George Osborne unveils tax breaks for big budget TV
George Osborne has announced tax breaks for big budget TV drama and animation to encourage companies to film productions within the UK.
Dodging the triple dip buys the Prime Minister time
Today's news that a triple dip recession has been averted means very little in economic terms, but politically it is critical.
Cameron backs Osborne over Philpott benefits row
David Cameron has backed Chancellor George Osborne after he linked the Mick Philpott case with the welfare system.
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Poll: Cameron and Osborne have edge over Opposition
The British public are more likely to trust David Cameron and George Osborne to see the country through the current economic situation than Ed Miliband and Ed Balls, according to the latest ITV News Index.
The poll, carried out by ComRes, found that 33% back the Prime Minister and 21% support the Chancellor – but Miliband rates only at 23% and Ed Balls at 17%.
Also of concern to Labour is that there has been little change in the last year over who people blame most for the current financial crisis.
Some 37% blame the last Labour government while 16% accuse the current Coalition – in May 2012, the figures were 37% and 19%.
Divisions over future of Scotland's currency
The Chancellor has warned that an independent Scotland would risk losing the pound.
Speaking in Glasgow George Osborne cast doubt on a euro-style currency zone, but the Scottish government disagree and has accused the Chancellor of scaremongering.
ITV News Political Correspondent Libby Wiener reports:
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George Osborne: 'We're better together'
Speaking in Glasgow Chancellor George Osborne said, "the conclusion is clear, the pound we share works well. The saying goes - if it ain't broke don't fix it, but I say, if it ain't broke don't break it."
He added, "I want the best for Scotland and for all our United Kingdom. We're better together."
Only way to keep pound in Scotland is to 'stay in the UK'
Speaking in Glasgow the Chancellor has said:
The SNP asserts that it would be in everyone's interests for an independent Scotland to keep the pound as part of a eurozone-style sterling zone.
But the Treasury analysis we are publishing today shows that is not the case. Let's stop speculating and look at the evidence.
– George Osborne, ChancellorWould the rest of the UK family agree to take that risk? Could a situation where an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK share the pound and the bank of England be made to work? Frankly it's unlikely because there is real doubt to the answers of these questions.
In other words the only way to be sure of keeping the pound as Scotland's currency is to stay in the United Kingdom.
Breaking up UK would leave Scotland with 'difficult choices'
Analysis has been prepared by Treasury civil servants and their analysis shows that the current arrangements of a full monetary, fiscal, political union bring economic benefits to all parts of the United Kingdom.
– George Osborne, ChancellorBreaking up that union would represent a fundamental change and confront an independent Scottish state with difficult choices about what to put in its place.
Osborne speaks about 'overwhelming' Thatcher funeral
George Osborne has said that he had found the funeral of Baroness Thatcher an "overwhelming" occasion.
The Chancellor was caught on camera wiping away tears during the service last week at St Paul's Cathedral, said it had been "a very, very powerful and emotional" event.
Watch: George Osborne sheds tears at Thatcher's funeral
"I welled up a bit because I thought it was a very emotional and moving occasion and at times overwhelming," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
"I think it was a fitting tribute to someone's life and in a sense a great State occasion as well.
The combination of the sermon and the music and so on made for a very, very powerful and emotional moment."
Mr Osborne appeared uncomfortable when presenter John Humphrys tried to press him on whether he was the sort of person who does weep occasionally.
"Well, I was caught on camera so I can't deny that it (happened)," he said.
"Occasionally I get a tear in my eye, sometimes just when I listen to the Today programme headlines, but on this occasion it was a much more moving moment."
Read more: Softer side of the Iron Lady revealed in biography
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If Scotland loses the pound 'it should drop UK debt'
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney warned the Chancellor that he was "playing with fire". He told the BBC that Scotland could walk away from its share of the UK's debts if the Westminster government refuses to come to "a rational and considered agreement".
What the Treasury paper is designed to do is to make things sound as difficult and as obstructive as possible. I don't really think it is a particularly helpful contribution to the debate.
He is arguing in his paper this morning that the UK would be the successor state, that it would hold on to the pound and we somehow couldn't get access to that.
– John Swinney, Scottish Finance SecretaryIf that's his position, then the UK as the successor state is obliged to hold on to all of the debt. We would be liberated from a population share of UK debt of £125 billion.
If that's the kind of game of negotiation the Chancellor wants to play, he's welcome to do that.
Scotland 'to give up economic control' to keep pound
An independent Scotland would have to give up control over key elements of its economy if it wants to keep on using the pound, Chancellor George Osborne warned today.
Mr Osborne told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme:
I think it is unlikely that the rest of the United Kingdom would agree to or we could make work a euro-style currency zone with Scotland.
It is all very well for the SNP to assert that's what they would like. I think it is unlikely that it could be made to work and therefore if Scotland wants to keep the pound the best way to do that is to stay in the United Kingdom.
Scotland could go on using the pound, rather like Panama uses the American dollar, but it would have absolutely no control at all over its currency or its macroeconomic framework.
There are some countries in the world that use other countries' currencies without their consent if you like, but it's a very, very difficult option for a country to undertake.
Treasury defends Chancellor's Help to Buy scheme
– A Treasury spokesmanHelp to Buy is a targeted scheme designed to help people who aspire to own a home. By increasing mortgage availability it will support the construction of new homes and help to boost the economy.
All mortgages sold under Help to Buy will have to meet clear criteria that ensure responsible borrowing. Nobody wants to see a return to the bad old days of 125% mortgages.
The intention of Help to Buy is absolutely clear - it is for people who want to own their first home or move to a bigger home, not a second home. We're working with the industry on the details of the scheme to do just that.
MPs outline criticism of mortgage guarantees
The Treasury committee has criticised several areas of the Chancellor's Right to Buy plans in a report on his latest Budget.
The intervention in the housing market may not even help first time buyers - the group the Government insists it is keen to support, MPs said.
They also said Mr Osborne's claim that increased demand will boost supply is "unconvincing".
MPs added that they "struggle to see the rationale for the taxpayer to stand behind loans for people wishing to own a second property".
The committee also warned the Government will come under "immense" pressure to extend Help to Buy in three years time, despite its status as "a scheme designed to deal with a supposedly temporary problem".
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