Budget 2021: Universal Credit extended to October - but 6million then face £20-a-week cut

Martin Lewis will be meeting Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Thursday ahead of a special Budget edition of his weekly consumer programme.The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com secured an interview with the Chancellor after extending repeated invitations for him to appear on The Martin Lewis Money Show Live.And one question the consumer champion and hundreds of his social media followers hope to have clarified is around the fourth Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant (SEISS).During Wednesday’s Budget, the Chancellor announced that 600,000 self-employed people will be able to claim the fourth SEISS grant - which they were unable to do so before.Speaking about changes to the scheme, Rishi Sunak said: "When the scheme was launched, the newly

Cigarette prices will not go up as expected after today's budget announcement.

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 recovery.But the lack of a pay rise for NHS and social care staff and greater financial support for self-isolating workers were described by Mr Burnham as ‘glaring omissions’.The mayor told a press conference on Wednesday: “I would describe [the

A new £300million recovery package for sport in England was announced by the Government on Wednesday as Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his Budget in the House of Commons.

A mum-of-three has called for more support for the self-employed as she said she's been "left high and dry" as she failed to qualify for any financial help during the pandemic.

Drinkers can look forward to a wild "Mad Monday" as booze tax hikes were scrapped in Wednesday's budget.Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the fuel duties would also stay the same from April.He told the House of Commons: "Let me now turn to duties: this is a tough time for hospitality so I can confirm that the planned increases in duties for spirits like scotch whisky, wine, cider and beer will all be cancelled."All alcohol duties for the second year in a row, only the third time in two decades."Right now to keep the cost of living low I'm not prepared to increase the cost of a tank of fuel, so the planned increase in fuel duty is also cancelled."Brits will now be set for cheaper pints and meals when lockdown is set to finally end this summer – as

The British government has announced plans to extend by six months the £500M ($698M) Film & TV Production Restart Scheme, which is offering a substitute to coronavirus insurance for UK shoots.

Drivers won't face fresh pain at the pump as the Budget promises another year of fuel duty freezes.

The price of a pint will not be rising this year, in welcome news for pubs and punters nationwide.

Millions of people will see their wages rise on April 1, when new minimum wage rates come into force in England.

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 £45 in member countries.Mr Sunak, said: “As we begin to open the UK economy and people return to the high street, the contactless limit increase will make it easier than ever before for people to pay for their shopping, providing a welcome boost to

coronavirus pandemic, rectifying public finances and building the future economy.The Chancellor is expected to unveil the Budget in the House of Commons at around 12.30pm on Wednesday, March 3.His Budget speech will be aired on BBC News, Sky News while also being able to view on Parliament Live TV.This will then be followed by a Downing Street press conference which usually takes place at 5pm.Mr Sunak is also expected to reveal that the UK's Covid-19 vaccine roll-out scheme will receive a £1.65 billion boost in a bid to help it meet its deadline of offering the jab to every adult by July 31, while also announcing £5bn scheme to help High Street businesses reopen following the third national lockdown.Reports suggest the Chancellor will use

the Budget today at 12.30pm he is expected to focus on creating jobs and encouraging growth, but will also have to come up with an answer on paying for the coronavirus crisis.On Tuesday, Rishi Sunak announced that the furlough job scheme will be extended for a further six months, giving millions of employees financial support and job security until September.One person who will be watching the proceedings from Parliament closely is money-saving expert, Martin Lewis, who will be offering live Twitter explanations as announcements are made.The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com will also be meeting Chancellor Rishi Sunak for a 10-minute interview on Thursday ahead of a special Budget edition of his Money Show Live, which will air at 8.30pm on

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.

direct to your inboxThe Chancellor is set to extend the furlough scheme when he unveils the 2021 Budget on Wednesday afternoon.Rishi Sunak is expected to announce that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain in place until September - two months later than its most recent end date.But the government's contribution will be reduced from July with employers asked to pay in alongside the taxpayer for the cost of furloughed employees.The scheme, has protected more than 11 million jobs since its inception last year, will continue to see employees receive 80 per cent of their salary for hours not worked until the scheme ends.In July, employers will be expected to contribute 10%, increasing to 20% in August and September, as the economy

Taxes look poised to rise in tomorrow's budget after a key Tory ally of Chancellor Rishi Sunak broke ranks to say they must go up.

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 to tackle the virus and protect jobs".But the chancellor is under pressure to address two main issues - whether the UK will begin paying off the huge debts built up during the pandemic, and how the UK Government will support the people and

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.

A new tax on internet giants’ sales is not expected until the Autumn, if at all - despite Brits facing stealth hikes in this week’s Budget.

Young first-time buyers will be given a boost in next week's budget by the return of 95% mortgages.

Boris Johnson has been urged to tell the public some “difficult home truths” about the economic damage unleashed by the Covid pandemic.