George Osborne is expected to say that lower government spending means he can put some money back in people’s pockets, when he delivers today’s budget.

The centrepiece of the package will be speeding up progress towards the coalition’s promised �10,000 tax-free allowance - with the level potentially hitting �9,205 next year.

The �10,000 target is now expected to be reached in April 2014 - a year earlier than planned.

It is hoped up to 20 million people could find themselves better off as a result of the package - although the overall reduction in taxes will be relatively small.

? Follow the budget through www.ipswichstar.co.uk