Inflation holds steady at 6.7 per cent as minister insists government ‘on track’
The latest inflation figures are “in line with” government expectations, a Treasury minister has said. Economic secretary to the Treasury Andrew Griffith told Sky News this morning that the government was “on track”, despite inflation holding steady at 6.7 per cent in September, according to the Office for National Statistics. Rishi Sunak pledged in January […]
Jeremy Hunt: ‘Very difficult’ to see tax cuts this year
Jeremy Hunt has insisted that while he “would love to see tax cuts for working people”, it is “very difficult” to see tax cuts coming this year. It comes after Michael Gove, the levelling up secretary, told Sky News on Sunday that he would like to see the tax burden reduced before the next election. […]
Jeremy Hunt ‘considering’ the future of HS2 as Labour mayors urge ministers to back project
Jeremy Hunt is “considering” the future of HS2, culture secretary Lucy Frazer has said this morning. Amid reports that suggest the Birmingham to Manchester section of HS2 could be scrapped, Frazer explained that chancellors “always” consider the cost of major infrastructure projects “to the public purse”. Asked on Times Radio if HS2 was a “national […]
Hunt optimistic on inflation after interest rate hold
Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of Exchequer, has said the UK is “starting to see the tide turn against high inflation” after the Bank of England announced the interest rate would remain at 5.25%. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted narrowly 5-4 in favour of holding interesting rates – the first time rates did […]
Minister says ‘no indication’ UK set for recession after economy contracts by 0.5 per cent
The UK economy contracted by 0.5 per cent in July, according to newly released data just published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This came after 0.5 per cent growth in June, the ONS said, and is worse than expected. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a smaller contraction of 0.2 per cent. But […]
Hunt: Economic figures ‘heartening’ as wage growth outstrips inflation for first time in a year
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that wages, excluding the effects of bonuses, were up 7.8 per cent compared to the same month a year ago. It means that salaries appear to be outpacing the rate of price growth in the economy for the first time in over a year. The increase […]
Conservative Party must be ‘decent and humane’, justice secretary Alex Chalk says
The Conservative Party must be “decent and humane”, the justice secretary has said. It come as the chancellor is considering real-terms cuts to benefits in the government’s autumn statement. Alex Chalk, a moderate Conservative MP appointed justice secretary in April, urged his colleagues that Conservatism must provide support to the most disadvantaged in society, adding. […]
Minister says UK ‘on course’ to hit 2 per cent inflation target by 2025
Inflation dropped to 6.8 per cent in the year to July, according to the Office for National Statistics. The continued downwards trend is good news for prime minister Rishi Sunak, who pledged at the start of this year to halve inflation before the end of 2023. The figure is a significant improvement of the situation […]
Hunt says inflation figures ‘strengthen the case’ for current course – as Labour blast ‘missing in action’ government
Reacting to figures today showing that inflation is stubbornly high, chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the new numbers “strengthen the case for the government to stick to its guns”. The new figures show the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 8.7 per cent in the 12 months to May, unchanged from April. Core inflation, meanwhile, which […]
The Cameroons and Covid — what’s the connection?
The Cameroons were a curious political clique. They arrived on the political scene in the mid-2000s, typically tieless and with a charming youthfulness, harbouring a plan to “modernise” both their party and the country. They championed “compassionate Conservatism”, a useful rhetorical response to the perceived outdatedness of their party. In 2010, they entered government as […]
