Budget-day Darling limbers up for election

The Chancellor has already pledged a "sensible, workmanlike" Budget despite better-than-expected tax and borrowing figures giving him an unexpected bonus of up to 12bn, insisting "there is no question" of a pre-election giveaway.

Today's statement will be the final set-piece parliamentary occasion before the general election campaign is kicked off in the next two weeks when Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to confirm polling day will be on May 6. Mr Darling will stand by the Government's pledge to halve the budget deficit in four years and seek to portray the Tories – who want to start making cuts this year rather than delaying until next – as putting the recovery from recession in jeopardy.

But he will have to offer enough detail to reassure the City that Labour is serious about tackling the public finances.

There will be some populist announcements – including a crackdown on tax evasion intended to send a political message that the economic pain will be spread fairly.

It is not clear if he will heed calls from motorists and business to delay the rise in fuel duty.