<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>

Tomorrow is the budgetA plan for income and spending over a certain time period. speech. Britain's chancellorThe Chancellor of the Exchequer is the minister responsible for the British government's economic policy. The job is often regarded as second in power and important to that of the prime minister. Jeremy Hunt will set out how much money the governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country. plans to spend - and how much taxMoney workers pay to the government to pay for services like roads and hospitals. it will charge people to pay for its spending.

Hunt, who is a member of the ruling Conservative partyA British political party. Members are known as Tories., thinks the government has a responsibility to tax people as little as possible.

People have always complained about tax. In fact, the pop band The BeatlesAn English rock band formed in Liverpool in the 1960s. One of the most famous bands of all time. wrote a song about it in 1966.

The Conservatives think tax will be a big issue in the next UK general electionIn the UK, when an election is held for all 650 members of the House of Commons. One must take place every five years. , which will happen later this year. They hope that if they lower the amount of tax people pay, more people will vote for them.

"The state has a moral duty to leave as much money in people's pockets as possible because it belongs to the people who earn it," says Hunt.

Conservatives say that the more people can keep from what they earn, the harder they will work and the more money they will spend on new businesses. This, they say, should help the economyThe way that money flows through a country, which affects wages and the cost of living. grow.

But the government needs tax to spend on the services it provides. Countries such as Denmark are famous for charging high taxes to pay for things like hospitals.

The UK government's critics say it would be terrible to cut taxes when schools and other public services need more money. They say tax makes the world a fairer place.

Is tax theft?

Yes! People work hard to earn their money. It is unfair for the government to take a large amount of it. Taxes should be as low as possible.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>

No! Tax pays for things that everyone needs, from roads and schools to hospitals and fire brigades. So when you pay tax you are doing it for your own good, even though other people spend the money.

Budget - A plan for income and spending over a certain time period.

Chancellor - The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the minister responsible for the British government's economic policy. The job is often regarded as second in power and important to that of the prime minister.

Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.

Tax - Money workers pay to the government to pay for services like roads and hospitals.

Conservative party - A British political party. Members are known as Tories.

The Beatles - An English rock band formed in Liverpool in the 1960s. One of the most famous bands of all time.

General election - In the UK, when an election is held for all 650 members of the House of Commons. One must take place every five years.

Economy - The way that money flows through a country, which affects wages and the cost of living.