Millions of people will be affected by the tax and benefit changes coming into effect. The changes, which include a child benefit freeze, changes to tax credits and benefits linked to inflation, will start coming into effect from the start of the new tax year.

Labour claims the changes will hit the poorest the hardest, but the government say these measures are necessary to tackle the budget deficit and the opposition would also have needed to impose such changes to tax and the benefit system.

Budget to stop repossession

Alistair Darling is expected to announce a £1bn package to boost the UK housing market in Wednesday's Budged by building thousands of new council houses. In addition to an extension to the stamp duty holidays, the Home owners Mortgage Support (HMS) scheme will come into force on the eve of the Budget to help stop repossession in the UK.