British Chancellor Gordon Brown is getting ready to present today what many are claiming is the most important Budget since Labour came to power.
He is set to unveil plans to put up personal taxes to pay for a massive cash injection for the National Health Service.
Reports have suggested the tax hikes could total between £5 billion and £10 billion sterling a year, to be phased in over a number of years.
Ministers are hoping that voters are ready to accept higher taxes if it means better schools and hospitals.
The so-called "sin taxes" - cigarettes and alcohol - are also expected to rise. However, it has been hinted the budget could include a freeze in fuel duties.
Mr Brown is expected to try to ease the strain on families with children with the new child tax credit, including help for parents who stay at home to look after their youngsters. And he has already announced a tax break for big business worth an estimated £500 million to £600 million.
The findings of the Wanless Reporton long-term funding of the NHS are also being published today. It is thought to have found the NHS has suffered from £200 billion worth of underfunding over the past 30 years, compared to European health systems.
It is therefore thought to conclude that central funding from general taxation is the fairest and most efficient way to pay for the NHS.
The Shadow chancellor has attacked Mr Brown over the timing of the report's release - just hours before the Budget in which he will announce precisely the same solution - that higher taxes should pay for the NHS.
"This is a disgrace. There can't be any justification for not giving people proper opportunity to consider the Wanless report," said Michael Howard.
PA