UK budget plans clouded by uncertain Brexit

LONDON, Mar 12 (AFP): British finance minister Philip Hammond on Wednesday updates the government's spending and tax plans that depend heavily on the nature of Brexit.

In a weekend interview with the Financial Times, Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond argued that a smooth UK exit from the European Union could see a bounce in Britain's economy that is slowing despite the country experiencing its lowest unemployment for 44 years.

Wednesday's Spring Statement, an update on the main annual budget announcement last October, comes less than 24 hours after British MPs vote on whether to back Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal or risk a chaotic departure on March 29.

Hammond has hinted that a smooth exit from the EU would enable him to release vast sums set aside in case of a hard Brexit.