The Chancellor put infrastructure and housing investment at the heart of his recovery plans to a rapturous reception from one side of the Commons.

The Budget was the usual blizzard of output figures, previously announced initiatives and political points scoring.

But Osborne said a £200m fund for pothole repairs was new money alongside an extra £140m to repair damaged flood defences.

The new “potholes challenge fund” will allow local authorities to repair up to 3.2m potholes in 2014-15.

The Mersey Gateway Bridge also received a £270m funding guarantee while the Welsh Government was handed new tax and borrowing powers for infrastructure with work on the M4 set to be the first beneficiary.

Greater Cambridge was also earmarked for a further £100m to help fund infrastructure projects.

Osborne also promised further planning reforms to boost housebuilding alongside a £500m boost for smaller house builders.

He said: “Taken all together, the housing policies I announce today will support over 200,000 new homes for families.”

The Government also published an update of financing for £375bn of major infrastructure projects. For full details click here.