Tim Harford assumes the role of the Chancellor and tries to speak some economic sense, arguing for ‘short-term stimulus, long-term fiscal consolidation, and reform aiming at a sane system of taxation’.

Damian McBride explains how the budget ‘scorecard’ process works and suggests that Osborne has taken his eye off the ball in relenting on the ‘ruthless discipline’ of his first two budgets.

Anthony Wells at UK Polling Report analyses YouGov’s first post-budget poll, with many of Osborne’s measures not particularly well received and Labour enjoying an eight point lead – the largest so far this year.

The Economist discusses the implications of an independent Scotland on the economic health of the North East of England. 

Stuart Weir at OurKingdom argues that Britain is not just ‘undergoing privatisation’ – this is a modern enclosure movement.