MPs approve Osborne’s Budget

MPs have approved the Budget after Chancellor George Osborne was forced to abandon the proposed cuts to disability benefits.

The Budget was accepted by 310 votes to 275, with a government majority of 35. The result comes after days of charged debate regarding the row over disability benefits and Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation from the role of Work and Pensions Secretary.

Before the vote was cast, Osborne defended his handling of the economy, but maintained that where mistakes had been made he was ready to ‘listen and learn’.

Opposition amendments to scrap initiatives such as the ‘tampon tax’ and block an increase in VAT on solar panels were accepted by the government without the call for a vote.

Remaining Budget measures will be addressed in the Finance Bill while other legislation will be debated after Easter.