Charities, church groups and trade unions have combined to call on the government to stop punishing the poorest through its economic and welfare policies.

The assertion that “those at the top and those at the bottom are being hit hardest” by the government's austerity policies suggests a misleading equivalence, says Simon Barrow. In reality it is those with least who are being punished most.

Responding to the UK Budget statement, the Scottish National Party says Chancellor Osborne has failed to deliver for Scotland on key measures.