Budget 2013: The best tweets and quotes

WITH the Pope having already done so, the Chancellor of the Exchequer followed suit yesterday two hours before the Budget – and joined Twitter.

By yesterday evening, @George_Osborne had more than 30,000 followers, as he marked Budget day by joining the social media format.

He sent just two tweets, however, one to announce that the Budget would help those “who want to work hard and get on”, and the other to confirm he would not be tweeting while speaking.

The first also included a picture of himself beside the ministerial red box.

By last night, Mr Osborne had chosen to follow David Cameron, historian Niall Ferguson, Bill Gates and the IMF.

His appearance prompted avid tweeter and former deputy prime minister John Prescott to note acidly:

So @George_Osborne gets 3,745 followers in just 18 minutes. If only he could get that kind of growth in the economy. Or indeed ANY growth.

Later, Labour leader Ed Miliband responded to Mr Osborne’s speech by claiming he could have got the Budget speech into Twitter’s 140 characters:

Growth down, borrowing up, families hit, and millionaires laughing all the way to the bank. Hashtag: downgraded chancellor

Other Budget tweets and quotes yesterday included’…

Comedian David Schneider:

It’s good you’ve joined Twitter, @George_Osborne, because if you’re doing rubbish at your job, Twitter can really help you focus.

Laura Kuenssberg, business editor at ITN:

Bank of Mum and Dad joined from next year by the Bank of Govt Ministers – how do you feel about Mr Osborne being your mortgage broker?

Michael Fabricant, Conservative MP:

Huge cheers from Conservative side as Osborne sits down. Labour front bench look uncomfortable.

From Sunday beer tax DOWN 1p. Mine’s a Peddy.

Stephanie Flanders, BBC economics editor:

Chancellor right to say borrowing has fallen since 2010 – but borrowing forecast for the entire parliament has risen by at least £140bn.

Douglas McWilliams, Centre for Economics and Business Research:

With UK bonds already facing further downgrades from the ratings agencies, Mr Osborne is taking a risk on borrowing… But essentially he seems to have decided that since he has lost his fiscal virginity, he might as well enjoy himself.

John Cridland, CBI director-general:

We’re particularly pleased our call for a focus on the short-term boost of housing has been heeded. This was recognition it was a mistake to cut capital spending so sharply.

London Mayor Boris Johnson:

Good to see @george_osborne’s investment in housing in London & positive steps on infrastructure. I will keep lobbying for more investment.

Andrew Griffiths, Tory MP:

George Osborne announces that Labour’s beer duty escalator is to be scrapped and beer duty CUT by a penny. Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice!