Hunt aims to cut tax or risks ‘losing grey vote’

Image source, Reuters

A number of papers report on expectations for the budget, set to be delivered by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Hunt says that the latest economic forecasts from the independent Office for Budgetary Responsibility – which will inform the budget – “have gone against us”. He suggests that reducing the tax burden – which is at its highest level since the Second World War – will be “a long path”. The chancellor also repeats his call for cuts to civil service jobs, telling the paper they should be brought back to pre-pandemic levels.

The Sunday Times reports that Mr Hunt and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are spending the weekend “battling” to find the necessary savings for a 2p cut across income tax and national insurance. The paper says Mr Hunt is planning to launch a “£300 million tax raid” on second-home owners who rent out their properties to tourists. He’ll argue the move will help tackle the housing shortage in coastal areas and holiday hotspots like the Lake District.

The Sunday Express warns of a furious reaction from pensioners if income tax isn’t reduced, as they’re already exempt from national insurance. Two former Treasury advisers have told the Observer that “tax cuts to stimulate a pre-election spending spree are the last thing the British economy needs” and warn the Chancellor against “sabotaging prospects for the next government”.

The Sun on Sunday carries an interview with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves. Under the headline “The Iron Lefty”, Ms Reeves says she’s pleased when companies make profits, relaxed about people being rich, and wants to reduce taxes for working people.

The Mail on Sunday reports that security officials have told MPs that the terror threat facing the UK is “rising rapidly” because of the conflict in Gaza. The paper says the level of “extremist chatter” monitored by the security services is at its highest level since the 9/11 attacks, and that there are also fears of far-right attacks during the forthcoming Muslim month of Ramadan.

The wife of former Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen, who has sat as an independent since losing the party whip for comparing the Covid-19 vaccine to the Holocaust, tells the Sunday Times that he has been taken in by a “cult”. Nevena Bridgen claims Mr Bridgen, now a leading member of the anti-vax movement, has been turned against her and that she and her son have been left homeless by the breakdown of the marriage. She also criticises the Conservative Party and the parliamentary authorities for not better protecting him from “radicalisation”. Mr Bridgen denies belonging to or being associated with any “sect” or “cult”, and says that his work is aimed at safeguarding the health and safety of the constituents who voted for him.

And the Sunday Mirror says Prince Andrew will face “new questions” about his association with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein because of new documents set to be released in the US. The paper says testimony previously submitted to a grand jury contains details of attempts by the duke to lobby US authorities to accept a plea deal that allowed Epstein to avoid a federal sex trafficking charge in 2008.