LIVE: Andy Burnham press conference amid climbing Covid rates and Rishi Sunak's Spring Statement

Andy Burnham is holding a press conference in the wake of Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Spring Statement, which comes after pleas for financial help from across the country as the cost of living boils to crisis point. The mayor of Greater Manchester is also set to give an update on coronavirus in the region for the first time in weeks, as case rates skyrocket in all 10 boroughs.

The three big announcements from the Chancellor this afternoon, March 23, include fuel duty cut by 5p per litre, in effect from 6pm tonight; 0% VAT on energy saving household installations; and targeted support for poorer households from April.

The three points follow the news on Wednesday morning that inflation and UK prices rose by 6.2 per cent in the 12 months to February. It is the fastest rise for 30 years after fuel bills, energy prices and food costs rocketed.

READ MORE: Fuel duty reduced and 'tax cut for millions': Rishi Sunak's key announcements

Meanwhile, coronavirus infection rates have gone up in all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, according to the latest data. Trafford continues to have the highest coronavirus infection rate in Greater Manchester.

The borough recorded a rate of 756.4 cases per 100,000 people in the week ending March 18, according to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency. The lowest infection rate is in Rochdale, where the rate is 375.6 cases per 100,000 people.

In Greater Manchester as a whole, the infection rate is now 523.6 cases per 100,000 population. The infection rate in the region is lower than the national average, which is 820.0 cases per 100,000 people.

A total of 14,847 people tested positive for coronavirus across Greater Manchester in the week which ended on March 18. The Greater