POLL: Should Jeremy Hunt cut taxes ahead of the next general election?

Jeremy Hunt comments on Liz Truss' mini budget and mistakes made

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is facing calls from Conservative MPs to cut taxes and help Britons manage the cost of living crisis. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in the last year, the Government borrowed £13.2billion less than expected, increasing the likelihood of tax cuts ahead of the next general election. Economists claim that Mr Hunt has plenty of “wiggle room” to cut the tax burden on the public. But do you think he should cut taxes or stick with his plan for the economy? Vote in our poll.

Figures show that the Treasury collected £786.6billion tax in the last financial year which is 9.9 percent more than the previous year. 

Meanwhile, Government borrowing reached £139.2billion, lower than the £152.4billion predicted by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The additional £13.2billion saved could be used to help ease the tax burden.

Former Cabinet Minister John Redwood said: “Cut taxes now. We cannot afford high tax rates which cut growth and depress revenue. The UK needs to go for growth, which is the best way to raise more money for public services.”

He continued: “Ireland, with half our business tax rate, collects far more business tax proportionately. The Celtic Tiger is roaring again and so should our economy.”

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Former Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg was outspoken regarding the OBR’s predictions last month. He said: “The failure of the OBR’s forecasts just a few weeks after they were made is damaging the economy.

“Taxes are higher than they need to be, stifling growth because of incompetent forecasters”.

Economist Ruth Gregory, at Capital Economics, said that lower borrowing gave Mr Hunt “more wiggle room to cut taxes or raise spending ahead of the next general election”. She added that she “wouldn’t be at all surprised” to see giveaways in the Autumn Statement.

However, Mr Hunt has suggested that he will stick with his plan to keep debt down. He said: “We stepped up to support the British economy in the face of two global shocks, but we cannot borrow forever.”

So what do YOU think? Should Mr Hunt cut taxes ahead of the next general election? Vote in our poll and leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

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