Philip Hammond weighs options for spring statement spending

Can the chancellor deliver the 'end to austerity'?

On Wednesday, MPs expect to hear the chancellor tell them that austerity will soon be consigned to history. Philip Hammond said in last year's budget that "austerity is coming to an end" and teased ministers with the promise of the cash that he and his predecessor George Osborne denied them in the previous eight years.

There is a huge gap to fill just to prevent further austerity taking effect. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the chancellor's pledge in October to boost NHS spending, defence and international aid failed to safeguard councils and some of the worst-hit government departments from further shortfalls.

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