'No big surprises' in Budget: English

Finance Minister Bill English. Photo / NZPA

The Government will deliver its Budget on May 24, and Finance Minister Bill English has promised there will be "no big surprises" in it.

Mr English announced the date of the Budget this morning.

He said the Government had set out its priorities in advance and remained on track to get back into surplus by 2014/15.

"This was always going to be a challenge, requiring tight control over spending for the foreseeable future."

He said that was important if New Zealand was to withstand global challenges.

"There will be no big surprises from the Government. We have laid out our economic plan and Budget 2012 will focus on implementing that plan."

He said the Government's priorities included managing the Government's finances well, working toward a more productive and competitive economy, making the public service more efficient and rebuilding Christchurch.

The most recent Treasury forecasts showed although a surplus in 2014/15 was still possible, it would be much smaller than originally forecast.