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Corbyn: Budget Reveals Six Years Of Failure

Britain's economic recovery is "built on sand" and George Osborne's 2016 Budget is the "culmination of six years of his failures", Jeremy Corbyn has said.

The Labour leader said the Chancellor had failed to balance the books, adding that the Budget has "unfairness at its very core" and will be "paid for by the people who can least afford it".

"Growth is revised down last year, this year and every year that's forecast - business investment is revised down, government investment revised down," Mr Corbyn said.

"It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) was a very good thing that the Chancellor was blaming the last government because he was the Chancellor in the last government."

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New (KOSDAQ: 160550.KQ - news) forecasts show public sector net borrowing will reach £72.2bn for 2015/16, lower than the £73.5bn figure announced in the autumn.

However, figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility suggest debt will now shrink more slowly than expected - it will reach £55.5bn in 2016/17 compared to earlier forecasts of just under £50bn.

:: Budget 2016: Live Reaction And Analysis

The Government will levy a sugar tax on soft drinks which will raise £520m for primary school sports, while fuel duty will be frozen for the sixth year running, along with the levy on beer, cider and whisky.

The tax-free personal allowance is to rise to £11,500 from April next year, and a new lifetime ISA designed to help those struggling to save for a home will be available to anyone under 40 from April 2017.

The headline rate of capital gains tax is to be cut from 28% to 20% while for basic rate taxpayers it will fall from 18% to 10%.

Mr Osborne told MPs the Budget is aimed at "doing the right thing for the next generation".

:: Key Points: Budget Announcements At A Glance

Mr Osborne also used his Budget announcement to argue that the UK will be "stronger, safer and better off" inside a reformed EU.

"Britain has learnt to its cost what happens when you base your economic policy on the assumption you have abolished boom and bust. Britain is not immune to slowdowns and shocks," he said.

"Nor as a nation are we powerless. We have a choice. We can choose to add to the risk and uncertainty, or we can be a force for stability."