British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is ready to spend his way out of the Covid-19 crisis in his March 3 budget with extra support for sectors particularly hurt by the pandemic as he looks to stimulate a post-lockdown boom.
Mr Sunak is expected to keep tax increases to a minimum and instead focus on propping up jobs and businesses to bolster the economy and help harder-hit sectors such as hospitality, tourism and retail to recover from the cycle of lockdowns.
While Mr Sunak had hoped to use the budget to set out a path towards restoring the battered economy, analysts questioned whether he will make any moves towards balancing the books.
Corporation tax is thought to be on the agenda, with Mr Sunak expected to increase the rate to 25 per cent or higher from its current level of 19 per cent.
However, Tim Pitt, partner at Flint Global and a former adviser to Philip Hammond and Sajid Javid, said next week’s budget is “really a budget for the next six months” because the country still needs support as it moves into recovery phase with only “half an eye on the longer term”.
It's a lot easier to announce a tax rise at the same time you are announcing lots of big giveaways.
While it is too early to say how big the fiscal repair job will be for Mr Sunak, Mr Pitt said the autumn will offer a better indication of the measures needed. He expects Mr Sunak to lay out some tax rises at the March budget even if they do not kick in straight away.
“The politics of debt and deficit are about to make a serious comeback. There's definitely been strong backing for the chancellor's short-term support packages, but over the last year, a very clear view has developed amongst the public that eventually we're going to need to do something to get borrowing back under control," Mr Pitt told an online news seminar.
“He will want to get the bad news out on the tax side as early as possible ahead of the next general election. It’s a lot easier to announce a tax rise at the same time you are announcing lots of big giveaways.”
Finding the right balance between taxation and stimulus will be key for Mr Sunak, Simon Wren-Lewis, emeritus professor of economics at the University of Oxford, told a separate Institute for Government webinar.
However, in this era of low interest rates he said Mr Sunak should forget about fiscal consolidation until the recovery is complete.
“As recoveries from recessions don't happen overnight but take years … we really should be thinking about how to stimulate the economy to get a quick recovery, rather than how we should consolidate public finances,” Mr Wren-Lewis said.
While boosting support falls in line with US President Joe Biden’s stimulus plan in America, where policymakers are still wrangling over the size of the additional support package, the debate in the UK involves the amount of taxation required to rebuild the economy, not only in the short term but over a longer time period.
Ruth Gregory of Capital Economics said Mr Sunak “appears intent on extending some of the temporary support for the economy for another few months”, but his focus will undoubtedly switch to increasing taxation in the longer term.
Mr Sunak told the Conservative party conference last year that "this Conservative government will always balance the books", but the economic fallout of the crisis has forced the government to borrow £270.6 billion ($377.16bn) in the first 10 months of the fiscal year to the end of January.
This takes Britain's debt mountain to £2.1 trillion, equivalent to 98 per cent of GDP.
Mr Sunak now faces the delicate task of presenting a budget that will revive the economy after a year of lockdowns, while also trying to restore public finances to sustainable levels through taxation.
“The risk is that over the next two years he will be tempted to pull the rug out from under the feet of households and businesses by reducing the budget deficit at a faster pace than is currently scheduled,” Ms Gregory said.
“Not only would that undermine the economic recovery, but it could also cause more problems for the public finances than it solves.”
The government has already spent £285bn, 13.7 per cent of GDP, on direct support measures, mainly because Britain has had one of the highest infection and death rates in the world.
The cost of the country's Job Retention Scheme to protect livelihoods has reached £53.8bn, according to ONS data, while the number of people on furlough rose to 4.7 million at the end of January, the highest level since July.
While this total is far below the almost 9 million seen at the peak of the crisis last spring, the ONS’s BICS business survey found just 72.2 per cent of businesses are currently trading, with a quarter of companies putting operations on pause between June 7 last year and February 21.
Meanwhile, Britain's unemployment rate rose to 5.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year, its highest level in about five years, with Mr Sunak already pledging more support.
Before the crisis, the 2020/21 budget deficit was set to be £68bn but it is now expected to be £370bn, far exceeding the previous peak of £158bn in 2009/10 in the wake of the global financial crisis.
In the past Mr Sunak has said he is prepared to wait until “the economy begins to recover” before returning “the public finances to a more sustainable footing”.
Measures expected next week include business rate cuts for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors; an extension to the VAT cut to 5 per cent from 20 per cent for the hospitality and tourism sectors; and an extension of the furlough scheme from its April 30 deadline, possibly until the summer at a cost of £4bn a month.
New grants for the self-employed are also on the cards with plans for an immediate fuel duty increase of £0.05 shelved and an extension of the stamp duty land tax holiday until the end of June.
Sir Robert Chote, former chairman of the Office of Budget Responsibility, expects Mr Sunak to offer an indication of his fiscal consolidation plans for the medium term at next week's budget to give a flavour of how the debt-to-GDP ratio will come down to create fiscal space for when the next crisis comes along.
“You don't know how far away and how big the next shock is going to be; we've had two in less than 12 years,” Mr Chote said. “It means you think quite hard about what to do in the good times if the bad times are more frequent.”
Britain’s economy has been pummelled by the pandemic, with GDP plunging 9.9 per cent last year in the worst economic slump in more than 300 years,
If the crisis permanently scars economic output through business failures, job losses and lost capital investment, it could leave investors concerned about the country’s growth potential and in turn its ability to repay its debt.
Sarah Carlson, senior vice president, sovereign risk group at Moody’s Investor Service, said it was very difficult for a country to reduce its debt burden if it is struggling to grow.
The ratings agency cut the UK’s debt rating in October over concerns about the country’s longer-term growth potential “in part due to Brexit but also recognising that this productivity growth challenge that has persisted since the global financial crisis is something that has not been alleviated”, Ms Carlson said.
With the vaccination programme now well under way and Boris Johnson's lockdown exit roadmap on track to lift all restrictions by June 21, the Bank of England expects the economy to recover to pre-Covid levels by this time next year.
This could lead to Mr Sunak starting a "fiscal repair job" in April 2022, said Mr Pitt, although a slower recovery may delay that process.
Mr Wren-Lewis said the best way for Mr Sunak to decide when fiscal action is needed is to follow interest rates.
“The way we decide when we should start thinking about consolidation and stop thinking about stimulus is when interest rates are revised, rising to 2 per cent or above levels, and we're a long way away from that,” he said.
The Oxford University professor said he was also concerned about telegraphing future fiscal retrenchment because constant debate over when fiscal consolidation should take place puts the country at risk of talking itself into “into an inbuilt pessimism”.
If the government talks about having “to do lots of tough things in the future, then people are going to hold back on spending, investors are going to hold back on investment … and you get into a kind of a pessimistic circle whereby the economy doesn't recover very strongly, because everyone's anticipating this fiscal retrenchment", Mr Wren-Lewis said.
"If I was chancellor, I wouldn't be talking about fiscal consolidation. At this point, I will be talking about what areas we need to stimulate the economy to get a good recovery.”
However, Mr Pitt said that having some kind of fiscal framework in place was essential because it was key to the UK's institutional credibility and helps the Treasury control government spending.
Ultimately, Mr Sunak has a very tricky job on his hands to ensure spending is balanced out with the right tone over fiscal consolidation.
If he puts his political aims before economic sense and lays out his taxation plans too soon, he may lose the public trust he has built up over the past 12 months.
“That would get some bad news out of the way before the next general election in 2024. But if it puts the economic recovery on shaky ground, the risk is that it could cause precisely the fiscal hole the chancellor is aiming to fill,” Ms Gregory said.
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
SHAITTAN
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
The bio:
Favourite holiday destination: I really enjoyed Sri Lanka and Vietnam but my dream destination is the Maldives.
Favourite food: My mum’s Chinese cooking.
Favourite film: Robocop, followed by The Terminator.
Hobbies: Off-roading, scuba diving, playing squash and going to the gym.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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Jawan
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Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
UAE Rugby finals day
Games being played at The Sevens, Dubai
2pm, UAE Conference final
Dubai Tigers v Al Ain Amblers
4pm, UAE Premiership final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
The biog
Family: wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren
Reads: Newspapers, historical, religious books and biographies
Education: High school in Thatta, a city now in Pakistan
Regrets: Not completing college in Karachi when universities were shut down following protests by freedom fighters for the British to quit India
Happiness: Work on creative ideas, you will also need ideals to make people happy
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
