UK Budget, US jobs report, Biden’s stimulus bill

UK Budget, US jobs report, Biden’s stimulus bill

Rishi Sunak's Budget will head the midweek UK news coverage as the chancellor reveals his latest financial plans and economic measures to tackle the pandemic and announces details of how he will flesh out the government's "build back better“ slogan. In the US, the $1.9tn stimulus package continues its journey through Congress after being passed by the House of Representatives, and jobs data at the end of the week will give the latest update on the nation's economic recovery. For the corporate offerings this week, there are earnings from some of the leading UK insurers, housebuilders and bookmakers while big box retailers Target and Costco Wholesale report in the US.

UK Budget

Rishi Sunak is to announce a £5bn "restart“ grant scheme in his Budget on Wednesday to help shops, pubs, hotels and other businesses most affected by Covid-19, taking total spending on such grants to £25bn. The new grant scheme “” worth up to £18,000 for the biggest businesses “” is intended to help companies in England through to June 21 when ministers hope the final coronavirus restrictions will be lifted.

Sunak is also expected to reveal that other support schemes for businesses and individuals “” including the furlough scheme “” will