The Budget 2021 LIVE – Rishi Sunak to reveal whether Universal Credit, Stamp Duty & furlough will be extended this week

THERE will be major Universal Credit, stamp duty and furlough updates this week when Rishi Sunak unveils the UK’s 2021 Budget.

The Chancellor will reveal the country’s spending plan on Wednesday – the first since coronavirus‘ devastating impact on the economy became clear and the first since the Brexit transition period came to an end.

He will outline his plan to rescue the UK, spelling exactly what areas of British life will see a spending boom and the ways in which hardest hit citizens will be supported by the Government.

More support for workers, struggling families and businesses is on the cards for Sunak, along with tax hikes to cover the cost of the schemes.

Sunak has put Britain’s beleaguered high streets at the heart of his economic plans, promising a £5bn lifeline for bricks-and-mortar shops and pubs.

Meanwhile there could be a new levy for online retailers – though experts have previously warned this could be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.

The Budget is due to take place at around 12.30pm on Wednesday, once Prime Minster’s Questions ends in the House of Commons.