On the eve of his last budget before the Conservative Party faces a general election, Jeremy Hunt promised “permanent cuts in taxation” for families, which is expected to feature a 2p cut in national insurance.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government’s plans “mean more investment, more jobs, more productive public services and lower taxes”, the Chancellor said as he accused Labour of having “no plan” and the Liberal Democrats of having “no principles”.
As he tries to revive the economy and boost his party's dire poll ratings, Mr Hunt's headline measure in the budget on Wednesday looks likely to be a cut in national insurance by another two percentage points.
Mr Hunt is widely reported to have opted to cut national insurance rather than reduce income tax, which is more expensive but better understood by many voters.
He was said to have made the decision after the fiscal watchdog the Office for Budget Responsibility downgraded the amount of fiscal room available for delivering tax cuts or spending commitments.
That was within Mr Hunt’s self-imposed rule of having debt falling as a share of gross domestic product by 2029.
The change could save the average worker £450 [$572] a year, adding up to £900 when combined with the 2p national insurance cut announced in last year’s autumn statement.
Mr Hunt did not confirm the move in pre-budget comments released by the Treasury, but repeated the government’s focus on reducing the tax burden.
Touting the Conservatives’ economic record, he said: “Of course, interest rates remain high as we bring down inflation.
“But because of the progress we’ve made because we are delivering on the Prime Minister’s economic priorities, we can now help families with permanent cuts in taxation.
“We do this not just to give help where it is needed in challenging times, but because Conservatives know lower tax means higher growth. And higher growth means more opportunity and more prosperity.”
He said growth “cannot come from unlimited migration”, but “can only come by building a high-wage, high-skill economy”.
With polls suggesting Labour is on track to win the general election, Mr Hunt will use his Budget to set electoral dividing lines with Keir Starmer’s party.
The Chancellor claimed that a Labour government would “destroy jobs with 70 new burdens on employers, reduce opportunities by halving new apprenticeships and risk family finances with new spending that pushes up tax”.
“Instead of going back to square one, our plans mean more investment, more jobs, more productive public services and lower taxes, sticking to our plan in a Budget for long-term growth.”
UK Chancellor says 'best tax cut right now is a cut in inflation' – video
But shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said Labour is “now the party of economic responsibility” as she accused the Tories of overseeing “14 years of economic failure” with the overall tax burden still rising.
“The Conservatives promised to fix the nation’s roof, but instead they have smashed the windows, kicked the door in and are now burning the house down,” Ms Reeves said.
“Taxes are rising, prices are still going up in the shops and we have been hit by recession.
“Nothing the Chancellor says or does can undo the economic vandalism of the Conservatives over the past decade.
“The country needs change, not another failed budget or the risk of five more years of Conservative chaos.”
Experts have warned that a 2p national insurance cut, which would cost about £10 billion a year, would not be enough to stop the tax burden reaching record levels by the end of this decade.
Mr Hunt has said he will not pay for tax cuts with borrowing, meaning a combination of spending cuts and tax rises elsewhere will be necessary.
This could leave public spending facing a painful, and possibly implausible, squeeze after the election.
“With the pandemic behind us, we must once again be responsible and increase our resilience to future shocks,” Mr Hunt said. “That means bringing down borrowing so we can start to reduce our debt.”
He accused the Lib Dems, who are challenging the Tories in southern England’s “blue wall” seats, of having “no principles”.
Mr Hunt said the party “supported controlling spending in office, but now want to prop up a party after the election that will turn on the spending taps”.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt – in pictures
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Jeremy Hunt leaves 10 Downing Street in London after he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer following the resignation of Kwasi Kwarteng. Here 'The National' looks back through Mr Hunt's political career. PA -
Mr Hunt holds a video conference call with Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey from his offices in the Treasury. Photo: HM Treasury -
Mr Hunt conducts a series of television and radio interviews after his appointment as chancellor. Photo: HM Treasury -
Mr Hunt speaks during an interview outside BBC Broadcasting House in July. At the time he was a contender to replace Prime Minster Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader. Getty -
Mr Hunt after losing to leadership contender Boris Johnson, who became British Prime Minister in July 2019. Getty -
Showcasing his credentials in July 2019. Now, Mr Hunt is charged with leading Britain out of an economic malaise. Getty Images -
With party member and president of the Bramshot and Liphook Conservative branch Tony Rudgard, 96, in 2019. Getty -
Mr Hunt speaks at the South-West Hustings in Exeter, in June 2019. Getty -
Meeting then-US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in May 2019 in London. Getty -
Mr Hunt and his Czech counterpart Tomas Petricek hold up football shirts on arrival at the Foreign Office in London in March 2019. Getty -
Mr Hunt as health secretary, outside his home in London in 2016. Getty -
He delivers a speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham in 2016. Getty -
Mr Hunt joins local Conservative Party activists as they campaign on the constituency's battle bus in Thurrock in 2015. Getty -
Mr Hunt looks on as then-prime minister David Cameron hosts a Cabinet meeting at No 10 Downing Street in 2015. Getty
But Lib Dem leader Ed Davey described the Conservatives as “the great tax swindlers”.
“Rishi Sunak has led the economy into a recession and forced families to pick up the tab. They have no shame,” Mr Davey said.
“The Conservatives must put the NHS [National Health Service] at the heart of the budget. It is no wonder the economy isn’t growing when millions of people are stuck on NHS waiting lists, unable to work.”
Mr Hunt has faced warnings of real-terms cuts to NHS funding in the coming financial year.
The already strained health service could endure a cut worth £2 billion in day-to-day spending in England – the largest reduction since the 1970s, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
