I suspect energy bills will be front and centre of changes announced. Why do I say this?

Firstly, there is no argument that electricity costs are hurting both households and businesses. They form part of a huge mountain of consumer debt that has been built up recently, some suggesting close to £6 billion. It needs to be addressed. Industry faces uncompetitive pricing compared to the rest of the world, speeding up deindustrialisation, something needs to be done. And on domestic heat, a spark gap of over four means consumers will not switch from gas just to see their energy bills rise.

Secondly, aware of the sensitivity of energy bills to the public, Ed Miliband promised £300 off the average energy bill ahead of the last general election. If the public are to have faith with politicians, then promises need to be kept.

So, I suspect the following might be in the budget. Reducing levies and tariffs from bills (certainly from electric, probably gas too) and paying for their cost from public expenditure (where it should always have been). This will see bills fall (but not by £300) and the spark gap close. There is some speculation therefore, that VAT on energy bills will also be cut from the current 5 per cent. Analysts have mixed views on this but politics trumps most things, so I think this could happen too.

Coming down the line, however, are likely bill increases, with Cornwall Insight predicting  dual fuel bills of over £1800 come April, not because of wholesale energy prices but infrastructure costs and levies. Coming so close to the local and devolved nation voting in May, I suspect government will want to nip this in the bud before it becomes another political hot potato.

Whatever is announced at least it will curtail the endless speculation that frankly isn’t helping with consumer confidence just at the point when the economy needs their spending to grow.