Martin Gilbert: More long-term thinking needed from Spring Statement

It will certainly be different, not least as it is expected to last no longer than 20 minutes, a good half hour shorter than his March 2017 Budget speech. The Chancellor announced this change to the parliamentary calendar back in 2016. At the time, he pointed out moving the main Budget from March to November would align it better with other countries. Investors given a week-long extension to benefit from lower-risk EIS He commented: "No other major economy makes hundreds of tax changes twice a year, and neither should we. If unexpected changes in the economy require it, then I will...