Jeremy Hunt hints he will slash MORE taxes in Spring budget as he vows to reduce ‘burden’ to help struggling families
JEREMY Hunt is planning more personal giveaways for Brits, saying: “There are lots of taxes I’d like to cut.”
On the day a two per cent National Insurance fall kicks in for 20 million workers, the Chancellor said he would reduce levies “as soon as I can”.
He tells The Sun today: “That’s what I did in the Autumn Statement and that’s what I hope to do going forward.”
Mr Hunt left the door open to unfreezing income tax rates that have seen millions having to stump up more of their pay.
With the Tories divided over whether to cut inheritance tax, he hinted he was more likely to tackle hits to wage packets in the March Budget if national finances allow — as well as trim public spending.
Mr Hunt said: “If there’s a choice between increasing public spending or reducing the tax burden, my choice is to reduce the tax burden.
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“I think people have found the pressures on family budgets very high in the last couple of years.”
The Chancellor also insisted the General Election was up for grabs, pointing to a significant economic recovery.
He said: “It’s entirely ours to win if we are sensible, prudent and continue on the path we’re going, which is to reduce taxes on working families.”
Mr Hunt brushed off Labour’s double digit poll lead and defended himself against the fact today’s National Insurance reduction pales against other recent tax rises.
Labour say that for every £10 taken in tax from the average worker, today’s cut is giving just £2 back.
Mr Hunt insisted the government had been open about the need to repay debts from the pandemic and supporting families with electricity bills.
He said his instincts were to freeze fuel duty for the 14th year in a row but warned of a battle to come, insisting it was too early to tell whether or not the 5p cut and another 2p freeze was affordable.
