Rishi Sunak suggests only ‘idiots’ think he can cut tax in Budget

Prime minister argues pandemic and Russian invasion mean he cannot reduce taxes at present

Rishi Sunak has suggested only “idiots” would not understand why he cannot deliver the immediate tax cuts some Conservatives desire.

The prime minister insisted he does want to reduce taxation but argued the coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine mean he cannot do so yet.

“You’re not idiots, you know what’s happened,” he told an audience in Morecambe, Lancashire, on Thursday.