Chancellor “announces 30 hours of free childcare for small children in the household”

Jeremy Hunt will announce an extension of free childcare to one and two year olds in England in tomorrow’s budget, it has been reported.

All parents of such children are expected to be able to enjoy 30 hours a week of free childcare, in a policy expected to cost £4billion, the Telegraph has reported.

The Chancellor will also increase funding for the existing program of free childcare for three-year-olds.

And he plans to increase the hourly rate paid by the government to childcare workers to meet his existing 30-hour-week entitlement, it has been reported.

The Chancellor was pictured earlier today holding the budget box as millions prepare to kick off the nation’s next fiscal year.

Mr Hunt stepped out of Downing Street carrying the iconic red box containing Queen Elizabeth’s cipher.

It contains the details of how he will tackle inflation, wages and public finances in the coming months.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will also release its latest five-year forecasts for the economy and public finances.

Wednesday’s announcement in the House of Commons comes as families have spent more than a year struggling with soaring food prices and energy bills cost of living Crisis.

tens of thousands of Striking workers – not being paid to match rising inflation – will flock to Westminster to demonstrate while Mr Hunt takes center stage.

The Tory MP is expected to cancel in the spring budget a proposed £500 increase in average energy bills due to come into effect next month.

The move would keep bills at around £2,500 for the average household, rather than rising to £3,000 as previously announced.

It has also been reported that the Chancellor is considering raising the £40,000 cap on tax-free annual pension contributions.

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