The 2013 budget was announced against a background of continued low growth, rising unemployment, a continuing government deficit and calls for the government to stimulate the economy through increased capital investment.
The Chancellor's Budget statement of 20th March 2013 contained a string of moves designed to ease the cost-of-living, including a 1p cut in the price of beer and the cancellation of a planned fuel duty increase. A £130billion mortgage guarantee scheme will help people without big deposits to buy homes, with interest-free loans worth 20% of the value of a new build property also available.
And in what he called a Budget for "the aspiration nation", Mr Osborne said the income tax threshold will rise to £10,000 in 2014, a year earlier than planned. The Chancellor also gave small businesses a boost by unveiling a new employment allowance that will save employers £2,000 on their National Insurance bills.
But he was forced to admit that the recovery was taking far longer than expected as he confirmed growth forecasts for this year have been cut in half to just 0.6%.
So, what does the budget mean for local government and housing?
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