The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered the UK Spring Budget in the House of Commons on 15 March 2023.
Hunt announced a series of economic policies, including extending the energy price guarantee for three months and plans to expand free childcare for one and two-year-olds in England.
He also froze the fuel tax and increased funding for the existing programme of free childcare for three-year-olds.
In his speech, Hunt claimed that despite facing enormous challenges, "the British economy is proving the doubters wrong."
The Al Jazeera reported that Hunt unveiled childcare and tax reforms and corporate tax breaks to boost low levels of business investment.
He also extended help for households hit by soaring energy bills and froze a tax on fuel.
The Independent reported that the energy price guarantee will be extended for three months beyond April, and the government has come under increasing pressure to cancel the rise from £2,500 to £3,000, which was set to come into force from 1 April.
Hunt said, "High energy bills are one of the biggest worries for families, which is why we're maintaining the energy price guarantee at its current level."
The Metro reported that Hunt is planning to increase the hourly rate paid to childcare providers by the Government to deliver the existing 30-hour weekly entitlement, aiming to cover all parents of one and two-year-olds in England with 30 hours a week of free care.
This policy is expected to cost £4 billion.
Meanwhile, he was pictured carrying the iconic red box outside Downing Street as families struggle with a cost of living crisis.
To summarise, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a range of policies, including funding for free childcare for one and two-year-olds, an extension of the energy price guarantee, a freeze on fuel taxes, and an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers.
Hunt claimed that the UK economy is proving doubters wrong, despite enormous challenges facing the country.
The different sources offer slight variations on the details, with The Independent emphasising the impact of the energy price guarantee extension, The Al Jazeera highlighting the tax and corporate breaks, and The Metro detailing Hunt's plans for free childcare.