At the age of 38, George Osborne today became the youngest Chancellor of the Exchequer to take charge at the Treasury for more than a century.

But while few doubt his talent, questions have been raised over whether he has the experience and judgment to manage the nation's finances at such a critical time.

Like his friend David Cameron, he comes from a background of wealth and privilege as heir to a baronetcy with a fortune reportedly in excess of £4 million.

But he is also something of a political high-wire act who has more than once found himself in hot water.