With his irrepressible energy, powerful intellect and sense of mischief, former chancellor Nigel Lawson was one of the most influential politicians never to become prime minister

The backdrop to last week’s Budget was particularly difficult for the Chancellor. It is harder for him to deliver a falling debt to GDP ratio than for any of his successors since 2010, when the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) was first set up.

The Government is urgently working on plans to help businesses in the UK after the collapse of US-based Silicon Valley Bank, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said.

Ahead of the Spring budget next week, the Institution of Engineering and Technology has called for greater flexibility in the apprenticeship levy to allow employers to develop digital skills and unlock the UK's potential in new technology.

With rail passenger numbers approaching pre-Covid levels, the Railway Industry Association sets out six ‘asks’ of the UK
Government, ahead of the Spring Budget on 15 March.

There is no doubt that the Chancellor had a tough hand to play in deciding which measures to include in his Autumn Statement last month.

Commenting on The Edinburgh Reforms announced by the Chancellor today, Robin Fieth, BSA Chief Executive said:

As the UK enters a recession, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has defended his "difficult" Autumn Statement, multiple unions are set to take further strike action, and climate change talks come to a close at the COP27 summit in Egypt.