It may have been billed as the Budget to end austerity, but the chancellor's speech was not exactly jam today. More like a thin spread of cheap margarine for now, with the hope of a good strawberry crop in the spring.
No sooner had Philip Hammond sat down than the sector started to respond, stating it was just not enough. £650m for social care – to be shared with children's services – will not plug the £1.5bn funding gap. Some £420m for potholes – to be shared with bridge repairs – will not plug the £9bn funding gap.
