The chancellor is vowing to "take the fair and necessary choices" in today's budget, as she seeks to grow the economy while keeping the public finances under control.

Rachel Reeves said she will not take Britain "back to austerity" - and promised to "take action to help families with the cost of living".

She said she will "push ahead with the biggest drive for growth in a generation", promising investment in infrastructure, housing, security, defence, education and skills.

But following a downgrade in the productivity growth forecast - combined with the U-turns on the winter fuel allowance and benefits cuts as well as "heightened global uncertainty" - the chancellor is expected to announce a series of tax rises as she tries to plug an estimated £30bn black hole in the public finances.

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