The Tories and the Lib Dems yesterday accused the chancellor of using smoke and mirrors to exaggerate the rises announced in public spending in Wednesday's budget.

The shadow chancellor, Michael Portillo, described the budget as a "con" saying middle England would lose the most, with the Lib Dems saying the government was spending less in real terms on public services than the previous Tory administration.

It was also revealed that one million middle-income earners will be worse off next month. Whilst their income tax will be reduced, their take-home pay will still drop as a result of changes to the national insurance system.

After polls suggested his budget was a winner with the public, Gordon Brown toured the TV studios in a bid to sell his budget yesterday.