The Mirror today urges Jeremy Hunt to offer us all a brighter future by tackling inequality and child hunger and rewarding heroic key workers.
But there are fears the Tory Chancellor will stick to failed policies in a Budget that favours the rich.
And in a blow to public sector staff, a source said there will be “not a single penny” of extra cash for them.
Hunt was last night urged to reward the heroes Tories applauded during Covid and who still toil to keep our struggling public services going.
But in a bitter blow to those hoping for a helping hand as the cost of living crisis deepens, a source revealed there will be no cash for key workers in today’s Budget.
However, in a predictable Tory move the rich will be handed tax breaks in pensions relief.
And Jeremy Hunt was warned unless he stumps up cash for public pay rises there will be a “mass exodus” of nurses, teachers and paramedics.
A poll by Opinium for the TUC, found 38% of workers in the sector, which is already in the grip of a staffing crisis, are seriously thinking about quitting their jobs.
Mr Hunt is to announce a £4billion expansion of childcare support that will give parents of one and two-year-olds funding for an extra 30 hours a week.
Primary pupils will get more breakfast and after school clubs to get people back to work.
But a government source admitted there will be “not a single penny” of extra cash to invest in hard-pressed services, such as the NHS when Mr Hunt unveils his Budget at lunchtime.
If you can’t see the poll, click here
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak branded the staffing crisis impacting schools and hospitals a “national emergency”.
He said: “The Chancellor must stump up funding to give every public servant a decent pay rise.
“We cannot afford for more nurses, teachers, paramedics, civil servants and doctors to quit.
“If we don’t improve pay and working conditions waiting lists will continue to skyrocket, people will continue to die waiting for urgent care and kids will continue to be taught in oversized classes.”
Mr Nowak also warned the “recruitment crisis will get worse” if ministers do not resolve public sector pay disputes.
Hundreds of thousands of workers will walk outs today on what could be the biggest day of strikes since the current wave of industrial action started last year.
Teachers, lecturers, civil servants, junior doctors, Tube drivers and BBC journalists are among those on strike.
Unison’s Christina McAnea said: “Using the Budget to invest in pay for paramedics, teaching assistants, care workers and others is the right thing to do.”
Unite’s Sharon Graham added: “Mr Hunt, time to pay up and save the NHS. Anything less is a historic betrayal.”
The RCN’s Pat Cullen said: “As a former Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt knows what nursing staff need to improve their working lives.”
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves added: “With 13 years of economic mismanagement and sticking plaster politics leaving us lagging behind, what we need is some real ambition.”
In the Opinium poll, 46% of public sector workers quizzed said No10’s approach to pay has made them more likely to quit their job.
And 45% said they will struggle to afford essentials such as food.
But while ordinary folk continue to suffer, Mr Hunt will help out the wealthy. He is to increase the amount people can put in their pension pot before they pay tax from £1.07million to at least £1.5million.
Labour MP Stella Creasy said of the £4billion childcare support plan: “It’s asking childcare providers to offer more hours at a loss as it’s only half the money needed to deliver this promise.”
Energy bills
The Energy Price Guarantee was due to rise from £2,500 a year for a typical family to £3,000 in April.
But today the Chancellor confirmed he will delay the bills hike for three months to June after intense pressure. Consumer champion Martin Lewis had warned 1.7 million more people could be tipped into fuel poverty if the Government failed to act.
Due to the reduction in wholesale energy prices, bills are set to come down in summer – possibly below the Government’s price guarantee.
Pension pots
The Chancellor is looking at raising the lifetime pensions allowance for those with significant savings in a bid to reverse the trend of early retirement.
The allowance stands at £1.07million, with savers incurring tax after that pensions pot threshold is exceeded. The figure may rise to £1.8m.
There are also questions over whether the Chancellor will bring forward an increase in the state pension age.
Pre-pay meters
Customers on pay-as-you-go meters are typically charged more than those using direct debit under a prepayment “premium”.
The Chancellor has already said he will use the Budget to end this “unfair” practice – something which the Labour Party has previously called for.
The Treasury estimates the policy will cost around £200million – but would save households that are using pre-payment meters around £45 a year.
Fuel duty freeze
Mr Hunt is widely expected to continue a 12-year freeze of fuel duty and keep a 5p-per-litre cut tomorrow (WEDS).
If he lifts both the freeze and the cut, drivers will end up paying around 12p-per-litre extra.
It would also likely result in a massive backlash and it is very unlikely the Chancellor will take the political hit.
Childcare
As part of the “back-to-work” Budget the Treasury is looking at ways to make childcare more affordable.
The Chancellor is expected to announce that people on Universal Credit will be able to claim more cash for childcare and also receive funding upfront.
But could the Chancellor go further with a more generous offer? This could possibly be the rabbit from the hat - if there is one.
Booze and cigs
A new taxing system for alcohol - based on strength - is expected to come into force in the summer.
But there is speculation the Chancellor will use the Budget tomorrow to announce a hike in alcohol duties - and by around 45p on a bottle of wine.
Reports have also suggested the price of a pack of cigarettes will rise by £1.15 - in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI).
Biz tax
Mr Hunt is expected to keep the planned hike in corporation tax from 19% to 25% in April - despite opposition from some Tory MPs. It is estimated to bring in around £18billion per year.
The Chancellor’s predecessor Kwasi Kwarteng had attempted to scrap the hike at the disastrous mini-Budget in 2022 - but there was a U-turn after financial turmoil.
