Chancellor Rishi Sunak told Cabinet ministers the “three building blocks” of the Budget were “strong public services, infrastructure innovation and skills”.
A Downing Street spokesman said the Chancellor also pledged to use post-Brexit freedoms to deviate from EU rules to “deliver substantive reform of our tax system”.
The spokesman said: “The Chancellor outlined his plans for the Budget and Spending Review that will deliver a stronger economy for the British people, promoting high skills, high productivity and higher wages.
“He also set out how strong public services, infrastructure innovation and skills, and support for working families were the three building blocks of this Budget, emphasising that there would be strong investment in all three including £6 billion to help clear NHS backlogs and £3 billion investment in skills.
“The Chancellor described how the levelling up agenda would be the golden thread that runs through this Spending Review and Budget, delivering on our promises to spread opportunity across our country.
“He stated that this Budget prepares for a new economy post-Covid and is a Budget that will take the opportunities leaving the EU has afforded us to deliver substantive reform of our tax system. “
Mr Sunak said the Budget was focused on the “post-Covid” era.
He told MPs: “Today’s Budget does not draw a line under Covid, we have challenging months ahead.
“And let me encourage everyone eligible to get their booster jabs right away. But today’s Budget does begin the work of preparing for a new economy post-Covid.
“The Prime Minister’s economy of higher wages, higher skills, and rising productivity. Of strong public services, vibrant communities and safer streets. An economy fit for a new age of optimism.
“Where the only limit to our potential is the effort we are prepared to put in and the sacrifices we are prepared to make.”
Get the latest updates in our live blog here
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
