Budget 2017 live: Chancellor breaks Tory manifesto pledge with tax rises

Follow all the latest updates and reaction after Philip Hammond's first Budget

Political Correspondent

Wednesday 08 March 2017 10:38 GMT

Chancellor Philip Hammond sets out budget for 2017

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Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog with all the latest lines and reaction from the Chancellor's 2017 Budget.

Philip Hammond broke a Conservative manifesto pledge not to raise National Insurance contributions.

He also announced £2bn over three years for social care, cut growth forecasts from next year and introduced a sugar tax.

He cracked a string of jokes throughout the speech - but not everyone was amused.