Jeremy Hunt announces 6 March as date for spring budget

Decision fuels speculation over timing of general election despite Conservatives trailing in polls

Jeremy Hunt has announced the date of 6 March for a spring budget, fuelling speculation over the timing of the next general election despite the Conservatives trailing in the opinion polls.

The chancellor said he had commissioned the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to prepare forecasts for the economy and public finances to be presented to parliament alongside a spring budget on 6 March 2024.