Will a budget delay cause problems for the Tories?

The next budget has something of a curse about it, writes Andrew Grice

A delay may mean Sunak is to bow to pressure to increase spending (Getty)

After Sajid Javid’s resignation, it was striking that Downing Street could not confirm that the Budget would go ahead as planned on 11 March.

The prime minister’s official spokesperson would say only: “Extensive preparations have already been carried out for the Budget and they will continue at pace.”

The statement raised eyebrows at Westminster and in the City. Was Number 10’s refusal to guarantee the Budget would happen on time a hint that Boris Johnson wants Rishi Sunak, the new chancellor, to revisit some of the package being drawn up by Mr Javid? As chief Treasury secretary, Mr Sunak would have known about the Budget preparations, unlike a minister switching from another Whitehall department who would have needed extra time to play themselves in before delivering a Budget.