What did darling say on our five key areas?

Transport

Made a clear commitment to spending, listing support for Crossrail, the Heathrow expansion and high-speed rail. He also announced 拢100m to repair roads following this winter鈥檚 damage and 拢285m for the main road network.

Housing

The big victory, as outlined above. Pledged to limit new regulations to fixed intervals, will shortly consult on how a scaled back section 106 would operate, and said he would work to plan the best way to deliver zero-carbon homes.

Renewables and nuclear

The launch of a 拢2bn green investment bank (see above) to support green transport and energy developments is good news for the renewable sector, particularly offshore wind developments which were listed as a priority.

Greening existing homes

Pledged to 鈥渄evelop鈥 the recent flurry of announcements surrounding the pay as you save initiative. Green lobby groups said the new green investment bank could provide an ideal vehicle for developing pay as you save.

Schools

Reiterated a commitment to protecting 鈥渇ront line services鈥 in areas such as education but gave no detail on the building programme.