THERE were a few surprise sweeteners in Chancellor George Osborne’s budget.

No doubt with half an eye on next year’s election, he raised the threshold at which we start paying income tax to £10,500 – meaning more low-paid people will be free of tax.

Beer duty was cut by a penny – expect a few raised glasses there – and the duty on bingo was halved.

In a measure that will appeal to savers, Isas will become more flexible - and the amount that can be put into them each year will increase to £15,000. Pensioners are to be given more flexibility to organise their own finances, and will be able to take more of their savings as a lump sum – though they could face a hefty tax bill if they do. And there will be a new “pensioner bond”, paying more generous rates than are available to many savers.

There is some good news for families trying to get onto the property ladder, too: part of the Help to Buy scheme will be extended to 2020.

All this and and an economy predicted to grow by 2.7 per cent this year.

So, a good news budget then?

Well, not for everyone. In a kick in the teeth for the worst off, the welfare budget is to be capped – and will rise only in line with inflation until 2018.

Those who have seen their benefits squeezed and squeezed under this government will see no relief in the foreseeable future, in other words – even if the economic recovery continues.