Here are the key points:
Economy
- Brighter economy than a year ago
- Forecast jobless rate at 7.6% in 2013, falling to 7% in 2015
- Britain currently growing faster than any other major world economy
- GDP growth forecast for 2013 up from 0.6% to 1.4%
- Expects national debt to be 75.5% of GDP this year £18bn lower than forecast
Tax
- £1,000 transferable tax allowance for married couples from April
- Capital Gains Tax to be paid by foreign sellers of UK homes from April
- Levy on bank balance sheets to rise to 0.156% to raise £2.7bn in 2014/15
- Employer National Insurance contributions removed for workers under 21
Pensions
- State pension age to be raised to 68 by mid 2030s and 69 in late 2040s
- State Pension to rise by £2.95 in April
- Pensioners to be offered the opportunity to make voluntary national insurance contributions to boost retirement income
Transport
- Plans to increase train fares by 1% above inflation from January are cancelled and will be replaced by an increase in line with inflation
- Fuel Duty rise cancelled for next year
Energy
- Green levies in energy bills to be reduced by an average of £50 per household
Housing
- Forecast for house prices to be 3.1% lower in 2018 than 2007 peak
- Bank of England has power to take action to ensure a functioning, stable housing market
Education
- 18-21 year olds without basic maths and english will be required to undertake training in these subjects or lose their benefits
- Free school meals for children in reception year one and year two
Business
- The small business rate relief scheme will be extended for one year from April 2014
- Inflation increase in business rates will be capped at 2% from April 2014
- New reoccupation relief will encourage the use of vacant town centre shops