George Osborne has been criticised for skipping a parliamentary question about the unraveling of his Budget – and for putting a junior minister up in his place.

The Government has backpedalled on a number of policies in just days since the Chancellor announced his spending plans for the coming year.

As well as a major U-turn on steep cuts for disability benefits, the Government has said it will not oppose a number of Labour amendments on issues including the so-called Tampon Tax and VAT on solar panels.

Conservative backbenchers have signed some of the Labour amendments – suggesting a rebellion when they come to a vote and a possible defeat for the Government, which only has a very small majority.

John McDonnell, Labour’s shadow chancellor has been granted an urgent question to ask about the changes – but the Government has said Mr Osborne will not reply himself.

Treasury minister David Gauke will field the questions from the dispatch box instead and reply for the Government.