EMPLOYMENT

For those over 60, the chancellor says he will cut the number of hours they need to work to qualify for working tax credits. He also says the government is looking into scrapping the compulsory retirement age. He announces that that the guaranteed offer of work or training for those under 24 who are unemployed for more than six months will be extended until March 2012.

PROPERTY

First-time home buyers will pay no stamp duty on properties worth up to £250,000. That will apply this year and next. That cut for first-time buyers will be paid for by a hike in stamp duty to 5% for properties worth more than a million pounds.

SAVING

The ISA limit will be raised from £7,200 to £10,200 (half for cash ISA's) and will increase each year after that in line with inflation.

FUEL DUTY

Next month's planned 3p increase in fuel duty will be staged to soften the blow. It will go up by 1p in April, another 1p in October and a final 1p in January 2011.

INHERITANCE TAX

Inheritance tax will be frozen for four years.

ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO DUTY

Alcohol duty will rise and that on cider specifically will go up by 10% from midnight tonight. Smokers will also pay more as tobacco duty will increase by 1% immediately, then 2% in subsequent years.

BUSINESS

Business rates are to be cut for a year from October, meaning a tax reduction for 500,000 small firms in England.

The annual investment allowance will also be doubled from £50,000 to £100,000 to help new companies get off the ground.

The chancellor says he is also increasing the relief on capital gains tax for entrepreneurs - and leaving the main rate of capital gains tax unchanged for the rest of us.