Darling sets Budget date of March 24

Britain's Budget for 2010 will be delivered on Wednesday March 24, giving Alistair Darling less than two weeks to prepare what will be a pre-election economic package.



The chancellor announced the date in a written ministerial statement yesterday, and prime minister Gordon Brown later confirmed it during a speech to the City.



The timing, say most commentators, suggests the expected election date of May 6 is now all but a certainty, as is the expectation that it will be fought on the economy.



In his speech, Mr Brown paved the way to argue that Labour will protect the UK's economic recovery, whereas a Conservative government would put it at risk.



In the light of the Budget date, these claims, alongside debate about the contents of the red book, look set to play out in parliament in the week commencing March 29.



This would cue up Mr Brown to go to Buckingham Palace to call the election on April 6, after the Easter Holiday and two weeks before the release of crucial GDP figures.



The prime minister said the Budget would focus on "protecting and advancing the recovery," with Labour pledging to do "whatever it takes" to safeguard it.



Mr Brown also spoke of "ensuring Britain can succeed in new industries," raising hopes the state may have some cash spare from lower-than-expected jobless forecasts.