Last Updated, Nov 22, 2023, 8:11 AM Press Releases
Hunt set for major tax cut announcement in last-ditch attempt to stave off Tory mutiny
Press Releases



Jeremy Hunt is expected to unveil a set of tax cuts today at the Autumn Statement, in what is seen to be his “last chance” to stop a mutiny against Rishi Sunak.

The party has been calling for tax cuts for months, with MPs growing increasingly frustrated.


Sunak suffered another blow to his leadership last week when his plan to send migrants to Rwanda was deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court.

At the time, a number of MPs were looking ahead to the budget as the final test of whether Sunak is the right person to lead the party into the next election.

One Conservative insider last night told GB News that today’s budget is “the last chance” for a reset in Sunak’s leadership.

But today’s budget is expected to provide policies which will alleviate the pressure on Sunak from the right of the party, as it is thought to include long-awaited tax cuts.

The Government has been weighing up plans to slash National Insurance payments, raise the 40 per cent income tax threshold and cut inheritance tax before the General Election.

Changes to inheritance tax was seen as a way of cutting taxes without contributing to inflation, but popular scepticism of cutting tax for the wealthiest people during the cost of living crisis appears to have steered the Treasury away from the move, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said to be planning to delay the move.

Giving a speech on the economy yesterday, just two days before the Autumn Statement, Sunak confirmed that tax cuts are coming.

But he caveated the pledge, insisting that it is not possible to “do everything all at once”.

The Government borrowed £16.9bn less than official figures predicted in the first seven months of the year, contributing to hopes that the UK will see tax cuts in Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement tomorrow.

Yesterday, the PM said: “Now that inflation is halved and our growth is stronger, meaning revenues are higher, we can begin the next phase and turn our attention to cutting tax.

“We will do this in a serious, responsible way based on fiscal rules to deliver sound money and alongside the independent forecasts of the Office for Budget Responsibility.

“And we can’t do everything all at once. It will take discipline and we need to prioritise.

“But over time, we can and we will cut taxes.”

Sunak said the focus would be on “cutting tax and rewarding hard work”.

The Prime Minister is also expected to unveil a series of welfare reforms, in order to incentivise people to return to work and reduce the benefits bill.

In yesterday’s speech, Sunak said: “We believe in the inherent dignity of a good job, and we believe that work, not welfare, is the best route out of poverty,”



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