The British government will have to make important and difficult decisions on taxes and spending to cover the budget deficit, Cabinet Secretary Oliver Dowden said this, declining to comment on possible measures.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Treasury Secretary Jeremy Hunt will outline plans to cover a deficit of at least 40 billion pounds ($45.50 billion) as part of their first budget program on Nov. 17.

Officials say all measures are being considered, such as expanding the windfall tax for energy companies and cutting the untaxed dividend income exemption.

Dowden added that by focusing on protecting the most vulnerable, the government faces difficult decisions on both taxes and spending.