While it has been common knowledge for some time that Bill English’s Budget will deliver another deficit, it’s the size of the deficit that’s causing concern.

While the exact figure hasn’t been revealed as yet, it’s understood the Budget will deliver a deficit higher than the $472 million figure forecast at the end of last year.

It’s a dark detail for Prime Minister John Key, who is likely to face some political heat after a swift change in tune from last year’s predictions.

During a speech in February 2014 outlining the government’s top priorities, Key said the government had “reined in spending” after “inheriting long-term projected deficits” from the Labour government.

“This hard work is paying off,” Key said. “The government’s books are on track to show a budget surplus in the 2014/15 financial year.

Pre-election the talk was around a projected surplus of $279 million, but that disappeared as global dairy prices dropped significantly.

The government’s ‘Our 2015 Priorities’ document released earlier this year removed the 2014/15 date, but left it at its top priority.

In April, Labour leader Andrew Little spoke of the embarrassment National was facing over failing to address its number one issue – getting the books back into black.

“If the government can't produce a surplus this year, then it's going to be much, much harder next year and the year after because of the state of the world's economy,” said Little.

“We're in a bad situation and it's all this government's doing."

Despite the deficit, English stated earlier this month that tax cuts were still on the cards during the government’s term.

"It's taking a year longer to get there,” admitted English.

“Still, for the last 12 months we've allowed out in 2017 enough spare room for some moderate tax cuts."