Businesses and middle-earners will pay for spend now, pay later budget

Government's fight against Covid-19 brings biggest tax increases since 1993

• Budget 2021: key points at a glance

Rishi Sunak has told Britain's businesses and millions of middle-earners they will pay the price of the government's year long fight against Covid-19 with a spend now, pay later budget that combines life-support for the economy with the biggest tax increases since 1993.

Delivering his second budget, the chancellor said he would go long," extending many economic support measures, including the furlough scheme, until the end of September at a cost to the Treasury of 65bn.