Philip Hammond keeps his powder dry with a 'boring' budget | Larry Elliott
by Larry Elliott from on (#2F5ZS)
The chancellor saved big announcements for the autumn - and he is aware Brexit could still take the economy off course
Philip Hammond promised a "boring" budget and he was as good as his word. It was quite an achievement to string his speech out for almost an hour because there was precious little in it that hadn't been pre-announced.
Most of the time, Hammond rehashed spending commitments and tax changes from previous budgets and autumn statements or said the government would be taking a close look at pressing issues such as the future of social care. Truly, this was a chancellor who hit the ground reviewing.
Related: Key points of the budget 2017 - at a glance
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