Rachel Reeves’ budget delivers modest wins – from scrapping the two-child cap to raising the National Living Wage – but falls short on deeper tax reform and the vision needed to tackle inequality and invest in Scotland’s future, says Roz Foyer

In this age of pre-set fiscal rules, assertive bond markets and serial leaks and speculation, budgets are more about whether expectations are met, than whether they meet the strategic purpose of good government.

In those terms we can say the Rachel Reeve’s budget was a qualified success. The Chancellor has played her ‘Get Out Of Jail Free’ card with respect to internal party criticism and brought forward some meaningful measures of relief for some of those who need it most.

Low-paid workers and families on welfare have been given a real, if modest, lifeline. The rise in the National Living Wage will make a difference for those on the lowest pay, even though, in truth, it should have gone further.

The uprating of benefits for welfare recipients is welcome, though praising something for keeping line with inflation illustrates my point about expectation over purpose. Cuts to energy bills are also welcome, though again falling short of being a truly purposeful intervention or what was promised.

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The crescendo, leaked well in advance and perhaps distastefully presented in a saviour like fashion from the government, was the scrapping of the cruel two-child benefit cap, a longstanding demand of trade unions and campaigners.

The government could have done this a year ago instead of suspending those MPs who........

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