A daily newspaper depicted Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt as holidaymaking poolgoers after criticising what it called yesterday’s “broken Budget”.

Pro-Scottish independence daily The National showed the Prime Minister and Chancellor enjoying a swimming pool in rubber rings – a reference to the revelation that Mr Sunak has upgraded the electricity grid in his North Yorkshire constituency to power his new heated swimming pool.

Mr Sunak and Mr Hunt are shown on the Glasgow-based daily’s front page with a throng of protesters in the background.

The image is accompanied by the headline of ‘Is this what you meant by pooling and sharing?’

Editor Laura Webster wrote on Twitter: “In the week Rishi Sunak has the grid upgraded to heat his private pool, let’s not forget that most people face living standards falling at their fastest level on record – and this budget won’t help them.”

Also in Glasgow, the National’s Newsquest sister daily The Herald led on the whisky industry’s criticism of the alcohol duty increase announced by Mr Hunt.

In Newcastle, The Journal described the Budget as a “mixed bag” on its front page.

The Northern Echo focused on ongoing strikes, noting there was “nothing for public sector pay” in the announcement.

But the Birmingham Post was more positive in its assessment, praising Mr Hunt’s commitment to further devolution.