Rishi Sunak's key spring statement announcements as fuel duty cut and National Insurance relief

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has outlined his plan to help households through the cost-of-living crisis, as figures showed inflation soaring to a 30-year high.

Rising energy, goods and food prices helped push inflation to increase 6.2% in the 12 months to February, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures revealed on Wednesday morning, hours before Mr Sunak’s speech to the Commons. It is the fastest rise in prices for 30 years.

Mr Sunak opened his mini-budget by promising to “stand by” families to help them weather the crisis. Below, we break down some of his key announcements.

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Arguably one of the easiest ways to win over voters and support households with the cost of living crisis was with a cut to fuel duty – and Mr Sunak did not disappoint.

The Government has frozen the duty for 11 years. But as oil prices hit highs on the back of the Ukraine conflict and prices at the pumps soar to record levels there have been sustained calls to reduce it.

Mr Sunak confirmed that there would be a 5p per litre cut in UK fuel duty from 6pm tonight. The cut will remain in place until March 2023.

The Chancellor faced huge pressure to hold off on the planned 1.25% hike in national insurance heading into today. Mr Sunak decided against a U-turn, but instead brought forward a change to the national insurance threshold at which people start paying the tax.

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While the threshold for paying income tax has increased rapidly in recent years to £12,500, the starting level for national insurance has lagged far behind.

Mr Sunak's announcement will brings NI inline with national insurance and means