Budget 2013: Osborne to unveil extra £2.5bn in cuts

Most Whitehall departments will have to cut 2% of their spending over the next two years, amounting to about £2.5bn, according to the BBC. But health, schools and HM Revenue & Customs budgets will be unaffected. The cuts come on top of the 3% spending reductions announced for the next two years in last year's Autumn Statement. In its 2010 spending review, the government originally announced departmental spending cuts averaging 19% - equivalent to £81bn - up to 2014-2015. Chancellor George Osborne told his colleagues of the new austerity measures at Tuesday's cabinet meeting. ...