George Osborne received a treble boost yesterday – as shares hit a record high , government borrowing tumbled , and the Tories saw a modest 'Budget bounce ' in the polls . In the latest sign that a feel-good factor is returning to the economy , shares in Britain 's biggest blue chip companies went through the 7,000 barrier for the first time . The FTSE 100 index of leading shares rose 60.19 points to 7022.51 , giving a confidence boost to millions of savers and people with pensions . All smiles : George Osborne , at Old Trafford today , received a treble boost - as hares hit a record high , government borrowing tumbled , and the Tories saw a modest 'Budget bounce ' in the polls . Taking it in : The Chancellor , with former England and Manchester United midfielder Sir Bobby Charlton , can take satisfaction from a YouGov Poll that showed the Budget had been well received by voters . The Chancellor was also cheered by a YouGov poll showing Wednesday 's Budget has gone down well with voters . The survey gave the Tories a two-point lead over Labour – reversing a one-point Labour lead in a similar poll carried out just before the Budget . It put the Conservatives on 35 points , with Labour on 33 . There was further good news for the Conservatives when official figures revealed that government borrowing fell by a third in February to £6.9billion , £3.5billion lower than it was in February last year , according to the Office for National Statistics . Annual borrowing for the year to February stood at £81.8billion , 9.7 per cent lower than last year , leaving the Chancellor well on course to meet his updated target for cutting the huge deficit left by Labour . However the ONS was also forced to revise up the national debt after admitting an embarrassing £5.5billion miscalculation over the Government 's bailed-out bank assets . In safe hands : Official figures revealed that government borrowing fell by a third in February to £6.9billion , £3.5billion lower than it was in February last year . Mr Osborne also went on the offensive , publishing Treasury figures which suggest Labour would borrow a staggering £138billion more than the Tories if they seize power in May . He told the Federation of Small Businesses conference in Birmingham that Labour 's plans were a 'clear and present danger ' to the economy . He later told LBC radio that – unlike Labour – the Tories would start to pay down Britain 's £1.5trillion national debt . Pushing forward : Mr Osborne told the Federation of Small Businesses conference in Birmingham that Labour 's plans were a 'clear and present danger ' to the economy . He said : 'It sounds like an abstract concept , the national debt . But it means this country has to spend billions on interest repayments that could be spent on services like the NHS – and it harms growth . If the Labour Party get in then the national debt will start to rise again . We would be sliding back into economic chaos . ' Yesterday marked the first time Britain 's index of blue chip companies has breached 7,000 points since it was launched on January 3 , 1984 . This is good news for investors and those with a pension .
Shares in UK 's biggest blue chip companies through 7,000 for first time . FTSE 100 index of leading shares increased 60.19 points to 7022.51 . YouGov poll shows Wednesday 's YouGov has gone down well with voters . Tories also revealed that government borrowing fell by a third in February .