And this budget is an example. Nick watt reports. We havent quite heard the first cuckoo, but spring will soon be upon us. As the buds slowly sprout, its time to prepare for future climates, both sunny and chilly. That was the spirit Philip Hammond invoked in the lead up to the budget. Expect to prepare for troubled times as the uk leads the eu. It actually turned out that spreadsheet phil is so comfortable in his dream job that we witnessed gag a minute phil as he cracked a joke about the last chancellor, who announced the demise of the Spring Budget. The treasury has helpfully reminded me that i am not the first chancellor to announce the last Spring Budget. 2a years ago, Norman Lamont also presented what was billed then as the last Spring Budget. What they fail to remind me, mr deputy speaker, was that ten weeks later he was sacked laughter so wish me luck today ah, a chancellor who thinks he can deliver a deadly serious budget whilst lightening the mood with some gags at the expens