Britain Braced For Tory's Big Speech Bodge It Day

Sunak in bid to talk up new age of optimism... but critics say public sector workers face real-terms wage cut

- Rachel Wearmouth

RISHI Sunak will today herald what he claims will be a new age of optimism as he unveils his Budget, but his plan is already falling apart amid the cost of living crisis.

The Chancellor will say he is building a new economy post-Covid”.

Treasury leaks have revealed the Budget will include raising the national living wage from £8.91 to £9.50 and ending the public sector pay freeze.

But unions have blasted the Government, after ministers admitted public sector pay rises may be lower than inflation.

This means nurses, teachers and other public servants could be facing a real terms wage cut.