Next week's Budget will be historic for being the last time it appears in the spring but according to economists this is likely to be the extent of its importance.

Economists are expecting a ‘steady as she goes' statement with the real meat preserved for the Budget next autumn. The chancellor has some wriggle room next week, with a larger than average £12bn drop in borrowing for 2016/17 leading to a possible £31bn extra by 2020/21.