THE Chancellor of the Exchequer is today due to deliver a Spring Statement which the Government says will build a stronger, more secure economy for the United Kingdom.

With people across the UK facing growing pressures of rising fuel and energy costs exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, Rishi Sunak is expected to pledge to continue to “stand by” hard-working families and outline further plans to help with the rising cost of living.

Alongside Britain continuing its “unwavering” support to Ukraine, he will add that a stronger economy is vital in responding to the threat of President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and that freedom and democracy remain the best route to peace, prosperity, and happiness.

Delivering the Spring Statement, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to say: “We will confront this challenge to our values not just in the arms and resources we send to Ukraine but in strengthening our economy here at home.

“So when I talk about security, yes – I mean responding to the war in Ukraine.

“But I also mean the security of a faster growing economy.

“The security of more resilient public finances.

“And security for working families as we help with the cost of living.”

The Chancellor’s statement is also expected to set out how the Government plans to create a new culture of enterprise, with the private sector “training more, investing more, and innovating more”.

The Spring Statement will build on Government support worth around £21 billion this year and next to help families with the cost of living.

That includes the £9.1 billion Energy Bills Rebate, putting an average of £1,000 more per year into the pockets of working families via changes to Universal Credit and freezing fuel and alcohol duties to keep costs down.

The Government is also raising the National Living Wage to £9.50 per hour from April, meaning people working full time on the National Living Wage will see a £1,000 increase in their annual earnings.

And the Government’s Plan for Jobs is also aimed at helping people into work and giving them the skills they need to progress – which the Government says is the best approach to managing the cost of living in the long term.

Rishi Sunak is expected to deliver his Spring Statement at around 12.30pm today.