Blair removed the taxes on gambling in a move to encourage even more people to waste money rather than buy decent food, clothing or perhaps even save. Now his chancellor plans to give more cash to the NHS , which will be squandered by private finance initiative friends of Mr Blair no doubt.

Alex Salmond, the ex SNP leader said: "Stripped of all spin, all of Gordon Brown's budgets and pre-budget statements have been exposed as a fraud, and this one is no different. The reality is that public investment in the UK - on health, education, transport and housing - has fallen under New Labour."