Osborne’s white rabbit

We can expect at least one rabbit out of the hat in George Osborne’s Budget speech. The Chancellor is a canny enough operator to have held at least one big announcement back.

Already this morning, we have had news that all councils will freeze or reduce their council tax next year. But I expect there is one more on fuel to come in the speech itself, possibly the suspension of the fuel duty escalator for this parliament. This move would be expensive but it would also say I feel your pain and stop Osborne having to come back to the price of petrol every year.

For Ed Miliband, today will be a test of his ability to think on his feet. Replying to the Budget statement is one of the hardest things a Leader of the Opposition has to do and the Tories are bound to have some fun with the body lanaguage between Miliband and Balls.