There was a time when the Chancellor opened his red box to present his March Budget and produced a series of measures that would come in overnight or a few weeks later at the end of the tax year. We all rushed off to fill up with petrol, buy our cigarettes or drown our sorrows in the pub before the prices went up.

Not any more. Many of the far-reaching tax changes that came in this month were announced a year ago. That’s much better in many ways as it gives us time to plan for them and get used to the idea. But it’s not so much fun is it? It’s rather like knowing what your Christmas presents are – it takes away the fun of unwrapping.

A few giveaways that will benefit large numbers of the population

So what gems did Mr Osborne have for us? Well, apart from not raising the price of alcohol and fuel, he did manage a few giveaways that will benefit large numbers of the population and others that will be welcomed by those running their own business.

The personal allowance (the amount you can be paid before you start paying tax) continues to rise at a rate well above inflation.

The rate of capital gains tax you pay when you sell assets that you own has been reduced from 28% to 20%. It won’t benefit everyone but it’s a definite plus for those who are affected.

A new lifetime ISA has been introduced, with the government offering a 25% bonus to participants, as well as giving them the usual tax breaks associated with saving via ISA’s. The amount you can put into an ISA has been increased by over 30% to £20,000 a year from next April.

For small businesses, one of the most positive moves was the removal from business rates on any property with a rateable value of less than £12,000 and tapered relief for those between that threshold and £15,000.

Not everyone will benefit from all his measures, but unlike his 2015 offering, which contained a string of nasty announcements, there was a lot more to like about this year’s Budget.