Chancellor George Osborne will offer an income tax cut worth around £45 a year in today's Budget as he battles to offer voters some good news amid grim economic statistics.
He is expected to announce that the amount people can earn tax free will rise by £600 from April 2012, benefiting 25 million people and taking 250,000 out of income tax altogether.
Follow live coverage of the budget speech with instant analysis by MEN business editor Kevin Feddy.
Steve Crompton and Michael Lucas, tax directors at leading accountants and business advisers RSM Tenon, will also be on hand to provide expert analysis and comment on the Chancellor's announcements as they come through from 12.30pm today.
Mr Osborne was dealt a double whammy of economic bad news as he put the final touches to his second Budget since the Tory-Lib Dem coalition came to power in May.
He has cast it as the moment the Government moves "from rescue to reform", building on the deficit-reduction measures of 2010 with a business-friendly package to boost jobs and growth.
Official statistics however showed inflation rising to a two-year high of 4.4% while borrowing spiked upwards to £11.8 billion in February, diminishing hopes of a significant undershoot on the Government's target of £148.5 billion for the financial year.
The combination of higher inflation and increased borrowing is likely to cast a pall over what Mr Osborne has sought to present as a "Budget for growth".
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Some good changes to simulate business and employment here
So we've had probably the worst tax of all - VAT - increased and now we're seeing sensible taxes, such as APD, Fuel Duty, Council Tax and Business Rates, being suppressed.
We're witnessing idiot politicians pandering to idiot voters.
From a quick glance, a bit of a boring budget really, which was probably just what was called for.
There does seem to be some 'playing to the gallery' in there though. I can't imagine the 'private jet' tax will raise much worthwhile. The increased charge on non-doms also sends a bad message to foreign money which could come to the UK (though there is a good exemption added for funds which will be remitted for investment purposes).
He's not had the guts to tackle the 51.5% 'spite rate' that Labour introduced, but then I doubt I would have done either. Hopefully a proper review of the revenue it raises and harm it causes can lead to an objective decision being made there in due course.
Over all, not a bad effort, albeit a shame a Tory Government feels the need to generate tabloid coverage about fat cats in private jets and to recite the usual "these anti-avoidance measures will generate billions" guff. Fixing the public finances and encouraging enterprise and investment should be the priorities.