Sunak takes aim at Starmer: ‘We expel antisemites, he makes them Labour candidates’
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Jeremy Hunt has vowed to unveil “permanent” tax cuts in today’s Budget, as a result of “the progress we’ve made” in delivering on Rishi Sunak’s economic priorities.
With the Tories’ popularity languishing at a 45-year low, the chancellor is widely expected to hand voters another 2p cut to national insurance contributions, in a repeat of his autumn statement – with some reports even suggesting an additional 1 per cent cut to income tax could be forthcoming, citing a cabinet minister.
But leading pollster Professor Sir John Curtice told The Independent that he would be “surprised” if the move, expected to be announced by Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday, improved the Tories standing in the polls – with reversing the “pretty awful state” of public services deemed to be a larger priority for voters.
And experts warned there are “huge questions” about whether Britain can really afford such a move, with Resolution Foundation economist Adam Corlett warning it will likely only lead to tax increases after the general election.
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Watch: Ministers arrive in Downing Street for cabinet meeting as chancellor prepares to deliver Budget
Cabinet ministers arrive at No 10 as chancellor prepares to deliver Budget
Ministers arrived in Downing Street on Wednesday morning (6 March) for a Cabinet meeting before Jeremy Hunt delivers his Budget to parliament. The chancellor is widely expected to unveil a 2p cut in national insurance in an attempt to shore up support for the government before a general election expected later this year. Mr Hunt, who has faced pressure from Tory MPs to ease the record-high tax burden, promised “permanent cuts in taxation” that would bring “higher growth” as he seeks to woo voters.
Matt Mathers6 March 2024 11:25
Starmer: Working people ‘worse off’ after 14 years of Tory ‘failure’ on economy
Working people are “worse off” after 14 years of Tory “failure” on the economy, Keir Starmer has said ahead of the Budget.
The Labour leader also shared a picture of himself and Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, on X preparing their response to the fiscal statement, to be delivered at around 12:30pm.
“Taxes rising, prices going up, and now Britain hit by recession,” he wrote.
“It’s time for change. Only Labour has a plan to deliver it – with more jobs, more investment, and more money in your pocket.”
Matt Mathers6 March 2024 11:15
Watch: Hunt says ‘great Budgets can change history’
Jeremy Hunt has said “great Budgets can change history” in a new video posted to X, Zoe Grunewald reports.
The Treasury has shared a video of the chancellor talking up his budget, just hours before Mr Hunt arrives at the despatch box.
In the footage Jeremy Hunt says “great budgets can change history” and insists that the government is “bringing down taxes”.
He says: “The economy is set for healthy growth. We’re putting more money into public services and we’re bringing down taxes. Stick to the plan.”
Jeremy Hunt Says ‘Great Budgets Can Change History’ In New Video
Matt Mathers6 March 2024 11:04
Starmer: Working people are ‘worse off’ after 14 years of Tory ‘failure’
Working people are “worse off” after 14 years of Tory “failure”, Keir Starmer has said ahead of the Budget.
The Labour leader also shared a picture of himself and Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, on X preparing their response to the fiscal statement.
“Taxes rising, prices going up, and now Britain hit by recession,” he said.
“It’s time for change. Only Labour has a plan to deliver it – with more jobs, more investment, and more money in your pocket.”
Matt Mathers6 March 2024 11:04
Budget 2024: Everything we know ahead of Jeremy Hunt’s statement
Jeremy Hunt is set to deliver a crucial Budget for the Tory party on Wednesday as they languish behind Labour in the polls.
The pressure will be on Mr Hunt to deal with a spluttering economy that has entered a recession and help alleviate pressures from the cost of living crisis that continues to engulf the country.
Senior Tories have been strongly hinting that the chancellor could give the green light to tax cuts, either to national insurance or income tax, to try and woo voters back.
Here The Independent takes a look at what we can expect from the spring Budget:
Andy Gregory6 March 2024 10:59
Judge the Budget on its merits, not its electoral potential, says think-tank chief
Torsten Bell, head of the Resolution Foundation think-tank, has issued a plea for analysis of today’s Budget not to be primarily through the lens of a looming general election.
Andy Gregory6 March 2024 10:41
Jeremy Hunt could announce surprise cut to income tax too, minister claims
While many are now expecting a 2p cut to national insurance in today’s Budget, one cabinet minister has been quoted as telling Politico that the chancellor could also cut income tax by 1 per cent.
The prospect of Jeremy Hunt opting to cut both taxes seems unlikely given the current state of Britain’s economy – but some Tories have urged the chancellor to choose cutting income tax instead of national insurance.
Ex-home secretary Priti Patel said cutting income tax would “show we back working households”, while another Tory MP was quoted as telling Politico that “there’s no use cutting national insurance” because “no one understands it, or if they do they just don’t think it will make any difference”.
Andy Gregory6 March 2024 10:31
Watch: Vegan caller ‘put off’ voting for Labour due to Keir Starmer being merely vegetarian
Vegan caller ‘put off’ voting for Labour due to Keir Starmer being merely vegetarian
Andy Gregory6 March 2024 10:08
What would you like to see announced in the spring Budget?
If you were given the reigns to Number 11, what policies would you implement?
Would you be keen to see more help introduced for first-time buyers? Or would you rather see enhanced VAT relief on electric vehicle charging brought in?
Andy Gregory6 March 2024 09:50