Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a £30bn package to boost the economy and get the country through the coronavirus outbreak.
He is suspending business rates for many firms in England, extending sick pay and boosting NHS funding.
In his first Budget speech, he warned of a “significant” but temporary disruption to the UK economy but vowed: “We will get through this together.”
The Bank of England has announced an emergency cut in interest rates.
Mr Sunak, who was promoted to chancellor just four weeks ago after Sajid Javid quit the government, has had to hastily re-write the government’s financial plans to deal with coronavirus.
“We are doing everything we can to keep this country and our people healthy and financially secure,” he told MPs.
Of the £30bn in extra spending, £12bn will be specifically targeted at coronavirus measures, including at least £5bn for the NHS and £7bn for business and workers.
This is on top of other spending pledges that will amount to £18bn next year, and even more in following years.
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