Economic figures released on Wednesday have highlighted the constraints facing Chancellor John Healey as he puts the finishing touches to his Budget.
The figures cover inflation and government borrowing, two measures that will shape the financial backdrop to the statement. Their release comes as the Chancellor finalises his plans and assesses the room available for Budget decisions.
The material available does not provide the individual inflation or borrowing figures, or set out specific measures being considered. It indicates, however, that the latest economic data will be central to the challenge facing Mr Healey before the Budget is delivered.
The latest known position is that the Chancellor is completing preparations for the Budget while taking account of the newly released economic information.
