UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today announced his Budget for fiscal year 2011-12 with plans to reform the nation’s economy and steps to help families with the cost of living.

A view of the Houses of Parliament with the Big Ben clocktower.

The Budget maintains the Government’s plan to tackle the deficit and sets out a new model of economic growth, based on investment, manufacturing and exports, where prosperity is more evenly shared across the country and between industries.

In unveiling today’s Budget, the Chancellor said: “Today’s Budget is about reforming the nation’s economy, so that we have enduring growth and jobs in the future.”

A short overview of today’s announcements follows, covering the Government’s plans for growth, and its commitment to fairness.

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