His speech to MPs is widely tipped to include an extension to furlough aid, currently due to remain in place through April only, as the economy emerges from a winter of widespread disruption.<\/p>\n
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He will speak as official figures place the jobless rate at 5.1% – a five-year high – ahead of reopening strategies that will see a relaxation of coronavirus restrictions UK-wide after Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his roadmap <\/strong>for England last week.<\/p>\n Lockdowns since March last year have resulted in the deepest slump for UK output in more than 300 years – forcing Mr Sunak to borrow at levels never before witnessed in peacetime, leaving the national debt above £2trn.<\/p>\n While giving with one hand, the chancellor is expected to give a nod to the pressure on the public finances through some targeted tax increases.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n As part of its announcement, the Treasury also revealed in its latest budget tease that there would be a “new UK visa route for firms to attract the brightest and best global talent” in the wake of Brexit.<\/p>\n The Help to Grow scheme, it said, would offer management training with help from business schools to enhance skills.<\/p>\n The 130,000 businesses that are expected to be eligible for support will also be able to claim up to £5,000 each to secure a 50% discount on productivity-enhancing software.<\/p>\n A new online platform will also offer free advice on technology, such as cloud storage, that will help businesses save time and reduce costs.<\/p>\n Mr Sunak said: “Our brilliant SMEs are the backbone of our economy, creating jobs and generating prosperity – so it’s vital they can access the tools they need to succeed.<\/p>\n “Help to Grow will ensure they are embracing the latest technology and management training, fuelling our Plan for Jobs by boosting productivity in all corners of the UK.”<\/p>\n Mike Cherry, national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, responded: “Practical help matters most when it comes to productivity growth in small firms.<\/p>\n “It has long been a priority of FSB’s for government to focus both on new to firm innovation, such as access to the cloud, and boosting leadership and management skills.<\/p>\n “These programmes look set to do both these things, and so it’s very welcome that government has taken a proper look at what small businesses need.”<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/21\/02\/768x432\/skynews-rishi-sunak-mask-chancellor_5287915.jpg\")
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