Mr Hunt’s austerity budget, filled with stealth taxes and public service cuts, will push many households further into poverty.

This will affect our members – very few of whom have had a pay rise in line with inflation, so were already facing real terms pay cuts.

Our members in the lowest paid jobs of the sector will undoubtedly suffer the most.

In addition, with households across the UK facing financial hardship, we expect to see this reflected with a reduction in the care clients can afford for their animals, which often increases the hostility Veterinary staff face on a day to day basis.