Theresa May promised earlier this month that austerity was coming to an end.

The pledge, in her speech to the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, referred to the period after Brexit takes place.

But Chancellor Philip Hammond will be under pressure to demonstrate that her promise is coming true, and austerity is reaching an end, when he delivers his Budget statement next week.

The Budget takes place on Monday October 29, at about 3.30pm.

Some details of the Cabinet discussions taking place in the run-up to the Budget have already leaked.

Chancellor Philip Hammond arriving at 10 Downing Street, central London

But we still don't know exactly what to expect. Sometimes plans are deliberately leaked in order to manage expectations or to give Cabinet Ministers ammunition in their negotiations with the Treasury.

Measures that may be in the Budget:

The promise of extra spending

Mr Hammond will promise that Whitehall departments will get above-inflation budget increases in next year’s spending review - but only if Britain emerges with a Brexit deal, according to reports.

He may also announce NHS funding to pay for the 10-year cancer strategy announced by Theresa May at the Conservative conference.

Regional pay

Mr Hammond wants greater “flexibility” over public sector pay and is looking to take a more “targeted” approach, according to reports.

This would include ensuring pay rises are based on people’s performance and where they live.

A freeze on fuel duty

Theresa May has already pledged that fuel duty will be frozen for the ninth year in a row.

Think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies has estimated that the policy costs the Treasury about £9bn a year.

However, supporters of a freeze say it cuts bills for cash-strapped motorists, and particularly helps people in rural areas.

Tax rises

The Chancellor is said to be considering postponing income tax cuts and curbing pensions tax relief in a bid to find more funding.

Universal Credit

The Chancellor has been urged by some Conservative MPs to provide up to £2 billion to sort out Universal Credit, the Tories’ flagship benefits policy.

Universal Credit is supposed to reduce poverty by helping people get into work (though it is also claimed by some people who already have a job). But in practice there’s evidence it has led to an increase in rent arrears and families dependent on food banks.#

Funding for the police?

Home Secretary Sajid Javid

Home Secretary Sajid Javid, MP for Bromsgrove, has been pushing for more funding for the police but Mr Hammond is said to have turned the request down.

It’s reported that Mr Javid demanded several hundred million pounds for policing and counter-terrorism, following concern about rising crime rates and violent crime figures in particular.

He is also said to have called for a better pay rise for police, who have been given a 2 per cent increase.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has also called for West Midlands Police to get support.