The Government's announcement on Universal Credit in the Spring Budget will be a "relief" to many according to Citizens Advice. 

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, yesterday announced that the £20 Universal Credit uplift, which has been described as a "life-line" to many, would be extended for another six months.

Local businesses were also anxiously awaiting the outcome of the Budget, and many were pleased to see that business rates relief had been extended.

Citizens Advice Cumbria and Eden CEO, Andy Auld, said: "This announcement will be a relief to many people who are just about managing on Universal Credit.

"We are glad that the government has listened to advice from the many groups and individuals.

"Our hope now is that they will review the levels of Universal Credit in the longer-term as the current levels are not sufficient to enable people to live sustainably."

Many businesses across the county had been calling for the government to announce its decision on business rates relief before the Budget announcement.

Mr Sunak said that the 100 per cent business rates holiday in England would continue from April to June.

Owner of the Junction pub in Workington, Lloyd Burnie, said: "We wouldn't be here if they had taken down business rates.

We have to pay this money back in the end, it's not a freebie. If things don't bounce back as they think it would by then, hopefully they would take another look at it and extend it further."

Mr Sunak added that the OBR fiscal forecast shows that the country has borrowed a record £355billion this year, which is 17 percent of the national income.