Back to basics Budget?

2022 marked a tough year, with soaring inflation sparking a cost-of-living crisis and repeated government announcements to tackle it. And that was before the Autumn economic policy chaos. The economics and politics are now calmer. Inflation – and most importantly gas prices – is falling, and the Chancellor hopes to deliver a more ‘normal’ Budget against this backdrop on 15th March. But it may not feel like the good times have arrived for households, with energy bills set to rise in April and the country living with the impact of 15 years of relative economic decline.

How ‘normal’ will Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget be after the very abnormal Autumn? Has the economic and fiscal outlook changed significantly as gas prices have fallen back? What else will the Chancellor do to protect households from the continuing cost-of-living crisis? And can the Chancellor address some of the big challenges facing the UK, from recent rises in labour market inactivity to the longer lasting growth slowdown?

In the week ahead of the Spring Budget, the Resolution Foundation is hosting an event to discuss these issues. Following a presentation on the economic outlook, we will hear from leading experts on what the Budget may have in store.

The event will be open for people to physically attend, alongside being broadcast via YouTube and the Resolution Foundation website. Viewers will be able to submit questions to the panel before and during the event via Slido.