Was the whole Budget a joke? Simon Lambert dissects a Chancellor's kamikaze attack on small business

It felt like there was something fishy going on during the Budget speech this week. Chancellor Philip Hammond peppered the few official announcements he made with low-rent panto gags and political jibes. Were these a distraction technique? With the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear that trying to be funny was silly Philly’s way of glossing over one of the more ‘spectacularly dumb’ decisions in modern politics. Big banks brought the economy to its knees in the late noughties, why now go after the self-employed and small businesses to shore up the country’s finances with a National Insurance hike? It was a short, sweet kamikaze mission, especially given the manifesto pledge of no increase in VAT, National Insurance or income tax. A U-turn beckons. As ever, This is Money editor Simon Lambert explains exactly what it all means and how National insurance works for the self-employed. Is it time to merge it with income tax? Also, on the show with Georgie Frost and Lee ‘spreadsheet’ Boyce… A pointless, below-inflation government-backed savings bond was also announced in the Budget. You can get better elsewhere. Diesel cars confusion – we need answers on where exactly the pollution problem lies and who is likely to be penalised and when Savings deal of the week – Atom bank has an attractive account but it’s only available on a phone app Rip-off insurance cover – IPT, the insurance tax, has doubled in two years. Expect to pay hundreds of pounds more to cover your car and home. Can you afford to ever retire? Listen to Simon’s advice and you can save without realising. How should couples manage their joint finances – and what if one has secret debts? And finally, who should pay for dinner if you dine with someone who earns less than you? Enjoy.

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