Cash levy announced for essentials (5,5)
I believe the answer is:
brass tacks
'essentials' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'cash levy announced' is the wordplay.
'cash' becomes 'brass' (I've seen this before).
'levy' becomes 'tax' (taxing is a kind of levying).
'announced' shows a homophone (sound like).
'tax' sounds like 'tacks'.
'brass'+'tacks'='BRASS TACKS'
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for brass tacks that I've seen before include "really mean business" , "Hard facts" , "Basics" , "Basic facts (colloq.)" , "Details of practical business (colloq.)" .)