Watch live as Rishi Sunak delivers the Budget
Rishi Sunak is reportedly planning to soften the blow of his cuts to universal credit by announcing changes to the benefits system in today’s Budget, which he is detailing now.
The chancellor is expected to change the so-called “taper rate” for claimants in work – a move which would let them keep more of their wages.
But the £20-a-week cut is still expected to go ahead, according to The Sun, and charities are warning that tweaking the system will not help the poorest families.
Elsewhere, campaigners have urged Mr Sunak to put the climate emergency at the heart of his Budget and end suspicions he is resisting the switch to net zero on cost grounds, with the Cop26 summit just days away.
He will claim the UK economy is entering a “a new age of optimism” as he sets out details on spending plans on the NHS, transport as well as an increase to the minimum wage and lifting the pay freeze on public sector workers.
OBR estimates suggest economy will recover quicker, says Sunak
The Office of Budget Responsibility’s forecast for economic growth has gone up from 4 to 6.5 per cent, Rishi Sunak says.
Mr Sunak said the government’s jobs plan was working.
However, the OBR also said inflation would rise to 4 per cent, which the chancellor said was due to global factors. Britons can have confidence the government “at home” will work to mitigate this, he said.
Budget is not a post-Covid plan, says chancellor
Rishi Sunak says his Budget will be the “foundation” of a stronger economic future for the UK, rather than a fully post-Covid-19 plan. There are “tough months ahead”, he warns.
Jon Sharman27 October 2021 12:38
And so…
Rishi Sunak says he has “listened very carefully” to what Dame Eleanor Laing has said about pre-briefing the media on Budget plans.
Jon Sharman27 October 2021 12:35
Deputy speaker attacks “pre-briefing” of Budget plans
Dame Eleanor Laing, the deputy speaker, has told MPs she shares the concerns of many of them, about the way so many elements of Rishi Sunak’s Budget have been parcelled out to the media.
“All ministers know important policy announcements should be made first to parliament,” she says.
“We’re just talking about courtesy to this house,” Dame Eleanor adds.
Jon Sharman27 October 2021 12:34
Watch: Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband stands in for Starmer at PMQs
Ed Miliband stands in for Keir Starmer at PMQs after he tests positive for Covid
Matt Mathers27 October 2021 12:20
PMQs: World has not delivered on climate, Miliband tells Johnson
The world has not delivered on climate change, Ed Miliband tells Johnson, as he calls on the government to be more ambitious in reducing emissions.
His comments come after a UN report said nations are falling far short of what’s needed to keep the global temperature under 1.5C this century.
Johnson concedes the Cop26 climate summit is “in the balance” after a number of world leaders signalled they won’t travel to Glasgow.
Matt Mathers27 October 2021 12:14
PMQ’s: World has not delivered on climate, Miliband tells Johnson
The world has not delivered on climate change, Ed Miliband tells Johnson, as he calls on the government to be more ambitious in reducing emissions.
His comments come after a UN report said nations are falling far short of what’s needed to keep the global temperature under 1.5C this century.
Johnson concedes the Cop26 climate summit is “in the balance”.
Matt Mathers27 October 2021 12:14
Starmer tests positive for Covid and will miss PMQ’s and Budget
Sir Keir Starmer has tested positive for Covid-19 and will not be doing Prime Minister’s Questions or responding to the Budget, Labour has said.
More details as we have them:
Matt Mathers27 October 2021 12:05
Starmer: Budget must take pressure of working people
Rishi Sunak’s Budget must include measures to “take pressure of working people”, Keir Starmer has said.
In a tweet, the Labour leader added: “Labour would grow our economy, with our plan to buy, make and sell more in Britain, and our Climate Investment Pledge to create the jobs of the future.”
Matt Mathers27 October 2021 12:01
Watch: Starmer and PM face off at PMQ’s
Prime minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Keir Starmer are facing off at PMQ’s before the Budget.
Follow all the action below:
Watch live as Boris Johnson faces Keir Starmer at PMQs
Matt Mathers27 October 2021 11:58
