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Budget 2020: UK growth 'to be slowest since 2009' Borrowing surge to fund 'significant' spending plans
(about 1 hour later)
The British economy will grow at the slowest pace since the financial crisis this year, according to the government's spending watchdog. Britain will borrow tens of billions more over the next five years to fund a "significant" rise in public spending.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) cut its 2020 growth forecast to 1.1%. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said extra spending on government departments and investment represented the biggest Budget giveaway since 1992.
This would be the weakest performance since 2009 and does not take into account any hit from the coronavirus. It said borrowing would climb to a six-year high by 2022 to fund the splurge.
It came as the chancellor unveiled a £30bn package to help the economy cope with the outbreak. The chancellor also unveiled an extra £30bn in spending for this year, including measures aimed at helping the economy cope with the coronavirus.
This included £7bn to support workers and businesses affected by the coronavirus and at least £5bn to help the NHS cope with the outbreak.
As well as this, Rishi Sunak also announced additional spending of £18bn "to support the economy this year".
Slower growthSlower growth
The UK's economy is also expected to grow at the slowest pace since the financial crisis this year, according to the government's spending watchdog, which cut its 2020 growth forecast to 1.1%.
This would be the weakest performance since 2009, and does not take into account any hit from the coronavirus.
A year ago, the OBR predicted the UK economy would grow by 1.4% this year.A year ago, the OBR predicted the UK economy would grow by 1.4% this year.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said a weaker global backdrop would drag down UK growth. The OBR said the government would borrow around £100bn more over the next five years than it forecast a year ago to fund "significant increases" in day-to-day spending and investment.
The economy is expected to rebound in 2021, with growth of 1.8%, before moderating to 1.5% in 2022 and 1.3% the following year. Mr Sunak said a weaker global backdrop would drag down UK growth.
The economy is expected to rebound in 2021 with the help of a big government spending boost
Growth is forecast to rise to 1.8%, before moderating to 1.5% in 2022 and 1.3% the following year.
However, the forecasts were made before the extent of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK became clear.However, the forecasts were made before the extent of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK became clear.
They do not take into account the emergency government stimulus measures or the cut in UK interest rates announced earlier on Wednesday.They do not take into account the emergency government stimulus measures or the cut in UK interest rates announced earlier on Wednesday.
There are currently 382 cases of the virus in the UK, and this number is growing.
Fighting the virusFighting the virus
Mr Sunak unveiled £7bn of emergency funding to help people deal with the virus, alongside at least an extra £5bn for the NHS. There are currently 456 cases of the virus in the UK, and this number is growing.
He said the outbreak would have a "significant impact" on the economy. Mr Sunak said the coronavirus outbreak would have a "significant impact" on the economy.
But he also said extra spending and investment would provide "security today" and "prosperity tomorrow".But he also said extra spending and investment would provide "security today" and "prosperity tomorrow".
It came as the chancellor unveiled a three-point plan to tackle the coronavirus, including: Mr Sunak unveiled a three-point plan to tackle the coronavirus, including:
Mr Sunak warned that the coronavirus would hit spending and trigger a temporary disruption to the economy.Mr Sunak warned that the coronavirus would hit spending and trigger a temporary disruption to the economy.
He warned that a fifth of Britain's workforce could be off work at any one time. He warned that a fifth of Britain's workforce could be off at any one time.
The extra cash for the NHS, families and businesses comes on top of an extra £18bn earmarked by the chancellor to boost the economy.
Mr Sunak said the government would do "everything we can to keep this country and our people healthy and financially secure".Mr Sunak said the government would do "everything we can to keep this country and our people healthy and financially secure".
More borrowing
While public borrowing is forecast to be lower this financial year than predicted last March, the deficit is then projected to rise sharply.
The government is predicted to borrow £54.8bn in the coming financial year to plug the gap between the money it spends on public services and the tax revenues it collects.
This is much higher than the £40.2bn forecast last year.
This will rise to £66.7bn in 2021-22, from a previous forecast of £37.6bn.