Which Conservative MPs are first out the gate for the 2024 ‘chicken run’?
The flight of MPs scrambling to claim new constituencies ahead of a difficult election or boundary changes is an old issue in British politics In Westminster parlance, it’s called a “chicken run” — a phrase coined in the years leading up to New Labour’s 1997 landslide when several Conservative MPs fearing a tricky contest on […]
‘Government on the right track’ to deliver inflation promise as price rises fall slightly, chancellor says
The chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said the government is “on track” to deliver on its promise of halving inflation this year after price rises eased last month. Data published by the Office for National Statistics this morning showed that the Consumer Prices Index rose by 10.1 per cent in the 12 months to March this […]
Minister brands IMF ‘unduly pessimistic’ despite new figures showing UK economy flatlined in February
Home office minister Chris Philip has dismissed the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) economic forecast for the UK, claiming the organisation’s predictions are “unduly pessimistic”. Mr Philp, the policing minister, said this morning that the UK has a “track record” of “consistently outperforming” the IMF’s forecasts — that is despite new figures showing the UK economy flatlined in […]
‘Spreadsheet Jeremy’ is stuck between a rocky economy and hard tax-cutters
In the Autumn Statement in November, Jeremy Hunt was the proud spokesperson of treasury orthodoxy. Outlining the most austere economic plan announced since George Osborne’s “emergency budget” in 2011, the very presence of “spreadsheet Jeremy” sent well-telegraphed signals to Britain’s financier class. The government’s hedonistic flirtation with Trussonomics — lenders were assured — had been as fleeting […]
Chancellor rejects ‘bizarre’ claim Budget is aimed at helping the wealthiest one per cent
Jeremy Hunt has rejected the “bizarre” suggestion that his budget is aimed at helping the wealthiest one per cent in society following his decision to get rid of the lifetime pension allowance. The lifetime allowance — the total amount workers can accumulate in their pension savings before paying extra tax — was abolished yesterday. Mr […]
Budget 2023: UK to avoid recession and announcements on childcare, nuclear and energy
Jeremy Hunt has said the UK will avoid recession this year in his Spring Budget announcement, as he announced a series of new fiscal measures. He said: “Today the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast that because of changing international factors and the measures I take, the UK will not now enter a technical recession this […]
‘Pattern’ of government adopting Labour’s economic policies, McFadden says
A shadow cabinet minister has suggested that the Conservative Party and Jeremy Hunt as chancellor are following Labour’s lead on a number of key budget announcements expected later today. Reports first seen in The Guardian suggest the chancellor will promise to provide 30 hours of childcare a week to working parents of one and two-year-olds […]
Budget 2023: What to expect from Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget
Jeremy Hunt’s announcement on Wednesday, due to be delivered to the House of Commons at 12.30pm, will be the UK’s first budget in well over a year. The last budget was delivered by current prime minister Rishi Sunak in October 2021, three chancellors ago. Since then, British politics has been peppered with “fiscal event” after […]
MoD facing ‘uphill battle’ with Jeremy Hunt over spending, suggests Wallace as budget tussle looms
Ben Wallace has suggested the ministry of defence (MoD) is facing an “uphill battle” with Jeremy Hunt as he tries to secure more defence spending at the upcoming budget. The defence secretary has said he will have “lots of meetings with the Chancellor” between now and March 15 as he works to “insulate” the ministry […]
Unchanged unemployment rate an ‘encouraging sign’, says chancellor Jeremy Hunt
The UK’s unemployment rate has remained unchanged despite Britain’s economy flatlining, official figures show. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the rate of UK unemployment was 3.7 per cent in the three months to December, the same rate that was recorded in the three months to November. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt released a statement, saying: […]
