The Budget: Osborne walks a tricky tightrope

Chancellor George Osborne must tread a fine line with his pre-election Budget message.

For the first time since 2007, the economic context is "more or less benign" for the chancellor's budget speech, says Janan Ganesh in the FT. This is George Osborne's opportunity to prepare his electoral message but that message is tricky to get right.

Most Tories want to define themselves as the party of tax cuts. These are simpler than Labour's "roundabout ways of improving living standards which include energy price freezes and other meddling and they are "congruent with the Tory soul". However, this is dangerous territory.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up
MoneyWeek

MoneyWeek is written by a team of experienced and award-winning journalists, plus expert columnists. As well as daily digital news and features, MoneyWeek also publishes a weekly magazine, covering investing and personal finance. From share tips, pensions, gold to practical investment tips - we provide a round-up to help you make money and keep it.