Budget 2023: living standards to fall by 6% and inflation to outstrip income growth say OBR

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has delivered his first ever Spring Budget in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon.
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Amongst the major announcements was an expansion to free childcare.

Budget 2023: OBR project inflation to come down to 2.9% by end of year

Key Events

  • OBR project inflation to come down to 2.9% by end of year
  • ‘Dressing up stagnation as stability’ says Labour leader Keir Starmer
  • Pension Lifetime Allowance abolished
  • Energy Price Guarantee extended until end of June

Chancellor expected to announce major change to free childcare

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, has left No. 11 Downing Street and has taken his seat in the House of Commons where he will deleiver his Spring Budget at 12.30pm on Wednesday.

Mr. Hunt addressed the Cabinet before making his way to the House of Commons and set out his aims for the Spring Budget.

“He set out the improved economic picture following his autumn statement, explaining it paved the way for this growth Budget,” said a No. 10 spokesperson.

“He referenced plans for deregulation with Brexit freedoms, plans to invest billions in carbon capture and storage and develop nuclear energy, a boost to levelling up through 12 investment zones across the UK and a significant package to help people get into work, ranging from support for the over-50s, those on benefits, parents, and those with long-term health conditions,” the spokesperson added.

Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt poses with the red Budget Box as he leaves 11 Downing Street in central London on March 15, 2023, to present the government’s annual budget to Parliament. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt poses with the red Budget Box as he leaves 11 Downing Street in central London on March 15, 2023, to present the government’s annual budget to Parliament. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt poses with the red Budget Box as he leaves 11 Downing Street in central London on March 15, 2023, to present the government’s annual budget to Parliament. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Budget 2023: £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee to be extended to end of June

A government scheme set-up to limit how much households all over the UK pay for energy has been extended for three months, according to reports.

The Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), which limits typical household payments to £2,500, was due to end at the end of March but will now run until June. The guarantee was due to rise to £3,000 meaning energy bills for millions of households were set to rise.

The move should protect customers until the end of June when prices are expected to drop to £2,100. The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt says the extension of the EPG "will bridge the gap and ease the pressure on families, while also helping to lower inflation" and explained the reason he is taking the decision to extend the scheme is because energy bills are "one of the biggest worries for families".

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said extending the EPG was part of his government’s commitment to cut inflation by 50% before the end of 2023.

“We know people are worried about their bills rising in April, so, to give people some peace of mind, we’re keeping the energy price guarantee at its current level until the summer, when gas prices are expected to fall. Continuing to hold down energy bills is part of our plan to help hardworking families with the cost of living and halve inflation this year.”

The announcement comes on the day Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will announce his Spring Budget for the year ahead. Further details and announcements will be confirmed by the Chancellor in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon.

Inflation to come down to 2.9% by end of 2023 - OBR

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt begins delivering his budget with the announcement that, according to a forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the UK will not enter a technical recession this year.

The OBR also forecast that inflation will fall from 10.7% last year to 2.9% by the end of the year, Jeremy Hunt said.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt.Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt.

Martin Lewis responds to EPG announcement

‘Brexit pubs guarantee'

Mr Hunt said: “Today, I will do something that was not possible when we were in the EU and significantly increase the generosity of Draught Relief, so that from 1 August the duty on draught products in pubs will be up to 11p lower than the duty in supermarkets, a differential we will maintain as part of a new Brexit pubs guarantee.

“British ale may be warm, but the duty on a pint is frozen.”

The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, had this to say about fuel duty: “Because inflation remains high, I have decided now is not the right time to uprate fuel duty with inflation or increase the duty.

“So here’s what I am going to do: for a further 12 months I’m going to maintain the 5p cut and I’m going to freeze fuel duty too. That saves the average driver £100 next year and around £200 since the 5p cut was introduced.”

Hunt announces 12 new UK investment zones

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced 12 new investment zones describing them as “12 potential Canary Wharfs”.

“In England we have identified the following areas as having the potential to host one: West Midlands, Greater Manchester, the North East, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Midlands, Teesside and, once again, Liverpool.

“There will also be at least one in each of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,” said Mr. Hunt.

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt poses as he leaves 11 Downing Street in central London on March 15, 2023, to present the government's annual budget to Parliament. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt poses as he leaves 11 Downing Street in central London on March 15, 2023, to present the government's annual budget to Parliament. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt poses as he leaves 11 Downing Street in central London on March 15, 2023, to present the government's annual budget to Parliament. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Nuclear power to be categorised as ‘environmentally sustainable'

Mr Hunt said: “To encourage the private sector investment into our nuclear programme, I today confirm that subject to consultation nuclear power will be classed as ‘environmentally sustainable’ in our green taxonomy, giving it access to the same investment incentives as renewable energy. Alongside that will come more public investment.

“Firstly, following representations from our energetic Energy Security Secretary I am announcing the launch of Great British Nuclear which will bring down costs and provide opportunities across the nuclear supply chain to help provide up to one quarter of our electricity by 2050.

“And secondly, I am launching the first competition for small modular reactors. It will be completed by the end of this year and if demonstrated to be viable we will co-fund this exciting new technology.”

Universal Credit sanctions to be applied ‘more rigorously'

The Chancellor said: “There are more than two million jobseekers in this group, more than enough to fill every single vacancy in the economy.

“Sanctions will be applied more rigorously to those who fail to meet strict work-search requirements or choose not to take up a reasonable job offer.

“For those working low hours, we will increase the Administrative Earnings Threshold from the equivalent of 15 hours to 18 hours at National Living Wage for an individual claimant, meaning that anyone working below this level will receive more work coach support alongside a more intensive conditionality regime.”

Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt poses as he leaves 11 Downing Street in central London on March 15, 2023, to present the government’s annual budget to Parliament. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt poses as he leaves 11 Downing Street in central London on March 15, 2023, to present the government’s annual budget to Parliament. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt poses as he leaves 11 Downing Street in central London on March 15, 2023, to present the government’s annual budget to Parliament. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Pension Lifetime Allowance abolished

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, has announced he will increase the pensions annual tax-free allowance from £40,000 to £60,000. Mr. Hunt also announced his decision to abolish the Lifetime Allowance which was previously set at £1.07m.

Mr. Hunt said: “As Chancellor I have realised the issue goes wider than doctors. No one should be pushed out of the workforce for tax reasons. So today I will increase the pensions annual tax-free allowance by 50% from £40,000 to £60,000. Some have also asked me to increase the Lifetime Allowance from its £1 million limit. But I have decided not to do that.

“Instead I will go further and abolish the Lifetime Allowance altogether.”

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