Extra cash for councils to build, car charge points and digital training

towards future infrastructure schemes. Under the changes, boroughs will keep half the extra rates revenue when they pull in new businesses to their area, providing they spend it on local investment projects.

However, there was no mention of one of the capital’s most eagerly awaited infrastructure schemes — the £31 billion north-south Crossrail 2 rail line. London, said Mr Hammond, was enjoying strong economic growth with 293,000 more businesses and 873,000 more people in work since 2010.

The Chancellor was set to confirm several measures trailed ahead of time, including plans to pay schools a £600 bonus for each pupil taking A-level maths. With a focus on training and high-tech industries, Mr Hammond will claim that driverless cars could be on the roads in three years.

Measures include £400 million for electric car charge points, £75 million for research into artificial intelligence, £100 million to boost clean car sales, £160 million for 5G mobile networks, £100 million to hire 8,000 computer science teachers and £76 million for digital and construction skills training. He was due to say: “For the first time in decades, Britain is genuinely at the forefront of a technological revolution, not just in our universities and research institutes, but this time in the commercial development labs of our great companies and on the factory floors and business parks across the land.

“So we must invest to secure a bright future for Britain, and at this Budget that is what we choose to do.”

Among peace offerings for younger voters stung by student tuition fees, graduates will be spared from being overcharged when they repay student loans. Last year 86,000 people overpaid by an average of £592. Tax authorities will now share data to prevent errors.

Another perk for the same age group is a discount rail card, aimed at 4.5 million people aged between 26 and 30.

Mr Hammond will say his aim is “a prosperous and inclusive economy where everybody has the opportunity to shine”. In a nod to Britain’s future outside the EU, he looked ahead to “an outward-looking, free-trading nation”.

Sadiq Khan welcomed the business rates announcement. “It means we will now have more control to spend more money on the things that matter most to Londoners, including infrastructure investment and support for businesses,” the Mayor said.

“This is an important step in devolving more control over the use of the capital’s tax revenues to London government... what we really need is for Government to agree to full devolution of business rates to London, combined with genuine protection for business, so we can act in the interests of Londoners and their businesses.”