Tory MPS expect Budget in all but an ‘emergency name’ from Rishi
the Tory Party for bold measures to address the crisis.
Mr Sunak stated: “The global challenges we’re facing are constantly changing.”
But he added: “Be reassured, I’m alive to the problems people are facing and looking to do everything in my power to help where I can.”
A Tory backbencher said they expected an “emergency Budget in all but name” is on the way. Meanwhile, a debate on Tuesday will be watched for signals that help is imminent.
Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said the prospect of further price rises is now “terrifying” for older people. She warned of the danger of “deep hardship like nothing we’ve seen for many years”.
She is calling for the Government to urgently increase benefits and the state pension in line with inflation.
The Chancellor is understood to have organised a series of “round tables” with backbenchers. In the past, he has held similar meetings in advance of major financial statements. One MP said that Downing Street is particularly “receptive” to the views of Tory MPS at the moment.
Former Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb welcomed the overwhelming support for a cost of living minister. He said: People are aware of just how difficult
‘This is getting worse for families every day’
things are becoming. They know there is no magic wand but they do want to see real leadership.”
Robert Halfon said he “passionately supports” the appointment of a cost of living minister. He also wants a new body launched to assess the impact of every domestic policy on living costs.
Mike Wood, Tory MP for Dudley South, said: “Appointing a minister to lead on this vital challenge would send a strong message that helping to find effective solutions is this Government’s top priority.”
Focusing on the crisis, fellow Tory MP Andrew Bridgen wants to see action taken before Parliament breaks up in July. He wants less money paid in fuel duty, a potential cut to VAT and the suspension of green levies on gas and electricity bills.
The push comes as charities continue to sound the alarm bell about the situation.
Lynn Perry, boss of children’s charity Barnardo’s, warned: “This crisis is getting worse every day.
“Families who previously had to choose between heating or eating are increasingly unable to afford either, and almost twothirds of our frontline staff have reported giving children and young people food in the past year for fear that they will go hungry otherwise.”
Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, which champions the needs of senior citizens, said: “More older people are being pushed into poverty because of this crisis.”
He said pensioners are also concerned that the Government will be forced to cut public services on which they depend.
Karl Williams, of the Centre for Policy Studies think-tank, called for all Government bodies to “produce a list of charges they currently impose on citizens and ask whether they are really necessary”.
He added that “planning reform and increased domestic energy production” would go “a long way in building
British resilience to future global events”. ∑The Government has stirred up controversy by aiming to cut up to 91,000 Civil Service jobs to save money.the Public and Commercial Services union warned of strikes and will this week meet Government officials to say delays in issuing passports and driving licences will get worse if staff numbers are cut.
Prof Len Shackleton, of the Institute of
Economic Affairs, cautioned: “Culling civil servants is necessary but it should only be the start of the Government’s attempts to reduce public spending and allow us to reduce taxes.” Former Cabinet Office minister Damian Green also called for reform, saying: “Cutting numbers where we can needs to be mixed with sorting out failures like the Passport Office and the DVLA.”
Meanwhile, ex-minister Sir John Hayes suggested VAT could be cut on different items of household expenditure and argued the reintroduction of the 10p tax rate would be a “very effective way of helping people in low-paid jobs”.
Mike Brewer, of the Resolution Foundation, warned “bold” support is needed, with “average incomes on course to fall by around £1,200 this year”.
Pressing for support for “low and middle income families who are at the sharp end of rising cost pressures”, he said: “The most effective way to do this is to bring forward the big increase in benefits like Universal Credit and the state pension that is due next spring to this autumn, or even sooner if possible. This would deliver significant cash support to millions of hard-hit households and would hold back rising poverty levels without carrying any long-term cost to the Treasury.”
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “The Conservatives need to act now. Anything less than coming forward urgently with an emergency Budget – including a one-off windfall tax on oil and gas producer profits – is a failure by this Conservative Government.”
A Government spokeswoman said: “We understand people are struggling with rising prices, and while we can’t shield everyone from the global challenges we face, we’re supporting families to navigate the months ahead with a £22billion package of support this financial year.
“The PM has asked ministers across the entirety of government to focus on doing everything possible to help out as a matter of priority, including increasing take-up of the support available.”