The government is discussing future plans with parliamentary officials following Boris Johnson
Politics
Jeremy Hunt Says Government Can't Cut Taxes Again Before Election After National Insurance Reduction
Breaking News: Jeremy Hunt Says Government Can't Cut Taxes Again Before Election After National Insurance Reduction
Following a meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson today, Finance Secretary Jeremy Hunt has revealed that while there are currently no plans to reduce the deficit ahead of the upcoming general election, the government will not rush to impose more austerity measures on the economy until after the next election.
Hunt made the comments during an interview on ITV's Today Programme, where he also confirmed that the government's plan to review the National Insurance contributions system is still on track despite some unexpected delays.
The comments come after recent reports suggesting that the government is under pressure from Tory rebels to introduce yet another round of austerity measures, including further cuts to the National Health Service and increased borrowing targets for the next financial year.
However, Hunt insisted that the government will not be swayed by such calls to push through unpopular policies without a proper economic and political justification.
"The message is very clear," he said. "We have got to be careful and make sure we get this right. We cannot have this Parliament driven by a desire to increase debt and put people out of work."
Despite the government's pledge to keep its options open in terms of tax changes, there appears to be a lack of appetite among Tory MPs for another round of austerity measures.
In a sign of things to come, several senior Conservative figures have already expressed their opposition to any attempt to raise taxes or cut spending, with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab being particularly vocal about the need for a "stable and secure economy" ahead of the election.
It remains to be seen whether the government will be able to overcome these divisions within its ranks and maintain a sense of unity as it prepares to take office once again.
Overall, while the government has been unable to confirm when tax cuts will return, Hunt's remarks suggest that he is still committed to finding a way to address the deficit while avoiding more unnecessary austerity measures.
This may not be enough to appease many hardline Brexiteers who are determined to win a victory at the ballot box, but for now, it seems like the government is taking a measured approach to the challenge facing it.
As the political landscape continues to shift and uncertainty remains high, only time will tell if the government can find a way to deliver on its election promise to restore growth and prosperity to the UK economy.
