This morning with Jeremy Kyle it’s Budget Day - the first major test for Andy Burnham and John Healey. It’s reported that the Chancellor will swerve welfare reform in today's Budget – as he hands out billions of pounds more to benefit claimants.
The Chancellor is said to be planning a 'steady-as-she-goes' Budget with some key measures to provide 'breathing space' to hard-pressed Britons.
But Labour sources have told the Mail that the Chancellor has set aside £5.5billion to support a 3.5 per cent increase to benefits paid to ten million people despite official projections suggesting sickness benefits will jump from £83billion last year to £109billion by the end of the decade.
He is also expected to earmark at least another £1billion to subsidise the fuel bills of those on benefits and low incomes this winter.
But any immediate support for those not on benefits is expected to be modest, such as freezing NHS prescription charges at £9.90.
Mr Healey was accused of an 'insult to families' yesterday after the Treasury revealed measures will include tariff reductions worth just 40p a week off average grocery bills.
It seems as though this is a budget that will see us through until a General Election…What do you think?
And a FIRST for TALK - Zack Polanski and Jeremy Corbyn speak to Talk’s very own Charlie Rowley.
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