Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Chiara Fiorillo

Martin Lewis gives verdict on huge Tory U-turn as Jeremy Hunt scraps mini-Budget

Martin Lewis has given his verdict after Jeremy Hunt scrapped most of the mini-Budget in a huge Tory U-turn today.

This morning, the new Chancellor announced the government would reverse almost all of the tax measures announced in Prime Minister Liz Truss' economic growth plan three weeks ago.

In response to his statement, the MoneySavingExpert.com founder tweeted: "Hunt says energy price guarantee to remain until April. After that treasury review on how to support energy prices.

"Plus all mini budget tax measures (barring stamp duty and NI cut) now not happening, so no cut in basic rate.

"Trussenomics totally hunted down and gone."

Mr Hunt made an emergency statement this morning (BBC)

Mr Hunt, who became Chancellor after Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked last week, said: "We will reverse almost all the tax measures announced in the growth plan three weeks ago that have not started parliamentary legislation.

"So whilst we will continue with the abolition of the health and social care levy and stamp duty changes, we will no longer be proceeding with the cuts to dividend tax rates, the reversal of off-payroll working reforms introduced in 2017 and 2021, the new VAT-free shopping scheme for non-UK visitors or the freeze on alcohol duty rates."

He also announced that help with energy bills for households will only last until April, with a review to find a "new approach" that will "cost the taxpayer significantly less".

Liz Truss held a political Cabinet call at 10am to discuss the decision to scrap the mini-budget measures (PA)

The Chancellor said: "The biggest single expense in the growth plan was the energy price guarantee.

"This is a landmark policy supporting millions of people through a difficult winter ad today I want to confirm that the support we are providing between now and April next year will not change.

"But beyond that, the Prime Minister and I have agreed it would not be responsible to continue exposing public finances to unlimited volatility in international gas prices.

"So I'm announcing today a Treasury-led review into how we support energy bills beyond April next year. The objective is to design a new approach that will cost the taxpayer significantly less than planned whilst ensuring enough support for those in need.

Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked as Chancellor last week (REUTERS)

"Any support for businesses will be targeted to those most affected and the new approach will better incentivise energy efficiency."

The basic rate of income tax will remain at 20p indefinitely, Mr Hunt said.

The rate had been due to reduce to 19p from April under Mr Kwarteng's mini-budget, a year earlier than Rishi Sunak had planned.

But Mr Hunt said it would now stay at 20p until economic conditions allowed a reduction, adding: "It is a deeply held Conservative value - a value that I share - that people should keep more of the money that they earn.

Martin Lewis gave his verdict after Jeremy Hunt's announcement (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

"But at a time when markets are rightly demanding commitments to sustainable public finances, it is not right to borrow to fund this tax cut."

Ms Truss held a political Cabinet call at 10am to discuss the decision to scrap the mini-budget measures.

The Chancellor set out the "worsening global economic situation, with interest rates rising around the world as monetary policy returns to a sense of normality", a No 10 source said.

"Because of this, the Government is adjusting its programme while remaining committed to long-term reforms to improve growth such as investment zones and speeding up infrastructure projects."

Mr Hunt is expected to meet all secretaries of state this week to decide on future spending plans which will then be submitted to the Office for Budget Responsibility on Friday.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.