STORY
The Government will announce its Budget later today, setting out tax plans and public spending decisions for the year ahead at a time of continued pressure on household finances and public services. Ministers have signalled that the statement will focus on economic stability and long-term growth, though the final balance between tax changes and spending commitments remains unclear. Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is expected to emphasise measures intended to support investment while keeping borrowing within existing fiscal rules.
Opposition parties have called for targeted support for lower-income households and essential services, arguing that previous decisions have left public sector budgets stretched. They are also urging the government to provide clarity on funding for local authorities and the NHS after warnings from several organisations that current levels are insufficient to meet rising demand. The Treasury maintains that the Budget will be responsible and sustainable, stressing the importance of keeping inflation under control.
The Budget is being seen as a key test for the Government amidst poor polling for the Prime Minister. There remain concerns that much of the Budget has already appeared in the media, a situation which Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, has already warned Parliament about.