Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend furlough scheme as he unveils 2021 Budget

direct to your inboxMinimum wage for workers in England will rise from April 1.Millions of people will see an increase to their wages next month, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced during the 2021 Budget.Workers will receive a 2.2% increase which will see the National Living Wage rise to £8.91 an hour.This is the equivalent of £345 extra per year for those working full-time.In a new change, this means that those aged 23 and over will see their pay increase form £8.20 an hour to £8.91 next

direct to your inboxAndy Burnham has described Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget as a ‘packet of Polos’ boasting some ‘refreshing’ economic ideas - but with many policy-shaped holes.The mayor of Greater Manchester welcomed the extension of the furlough scheme, the Universal Credit uplift and grants for self-employed workers until September.The continuation of cuts to VAT and stamp duty, as well as a longer business rates holiday, were also seen as positive measures for the country’s post-pandemic

direct to your inboxAs part of today's new budget announcement, chancellor Rishi Sunak updated the UK on duty tax on both alcohol and fuel.Many people had expected the cost of alcohol and fuel to rise after the Budget.However, Rishi has now announced that all alcohol duties will be frozen - news which will be welcomed by millions of people in the UK.The Chancellor also announced that "the planned increase in fuel duty is also cancelled."Rishi Sunak told MPs: “I can confirm that the planned

direct to your inboxThe limit on contactless payments is set to rise from £45 to £100.Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who will announce the plans in his 2021 Budget, said the change will boost the retail sector and help protect jobs in the UK.The change will legally come into force from today, but firms will need to make the necessary systems changes before being able to offer customers the higher limit.The UK has been allowed to make the change after leaving the EU, which limits contactless payments to

direct to your inboxRishi Sunak will unveil the 2021 Budget today.The Chancellor will set out the UK government's spending plan in his annual statement. Last night, it was revealed he would be revealing an extension to the furlough scheme until the end of September.

David Linden has called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to make the Universal Credit uplift permanent as part of a wider post-covid recovery programme.The Glasgow East MP said axing the uplift - worth £1040 a year to claimants - at a time of rising unemployment would be "unconscionable".Linden, the Nationalists' spokesman on work and pensions, spoke out as the Tory Chancellor prepares to deliver a Budget like no other in recent history.The UK Government says it will set out "the next phase of the plan

coronavirus vaccine roll out will receive a £1.65 billion boost to help it meet the target of offering a dose to every adult by July 31.

direct to your inbox The issue of vaccine passports is one which is beset with complex moral and legal considerations, but it could pave the way out of the coronavirus pandemic and for more normal life to return.