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Hunt attacks Starmer for ‘fake news’ as Chancellor hints another National Insurance tax cut – UK politics live

The Chancellor has released a 19-page report accusing the Labour party of digging a £38 billion black hole with Starmer’s campaign pledges

Salma Ouaguira
Friday 17 May 2024 15:37 BST
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Hunt attacks Labour and says he refutes 'myths' the economy is worse under Tories

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Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled new tax cuts if the Conservatives win the general election as he accuses Labour of “playground politics” following Sir Keir Starmer’s speech on Thursday.

Speaking from London, he hinted at further National Insurance cuts before the general election kicks off after Summer.

He claimed Labour’s electoral pledges would cost tax payers £59 billion over the next four years and accused Labour of “lying” and labelled “fake news” their economic plans.

He has also pledged “taxes will go down under a Conservative government” and accused Sir Keir Starmer of planning to hikes as “sure as night follows day”.

Meanwhile, David Lammy has launched Labour’s foreign policy campaign pledge as he vowed voters to reinstall trust between the UK and the EU amid security threats.

He added the country is currently facing key challenges around war and security, over-dependency with unfriendly states, and low growth around West.

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Hunt hits Labour’s electoral pledges

Jeremy Hunt claims he will relieve hard-up Brits from the tax burden by this Autumn.

But, he proceeds to attack Labour by saying: “For Labour the higher tax is a means for a progressive end. Taxes will go up under a new Labour.”

He adds Labour’s electoral pledges would cost tax payers £59billion over the next four years.

Salma Ouaguira17 May 2024 09:17
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Theresa May says general election defeat for Sunak is not a foregone conclusion

Theresa May joked that Boris Johnson’s memoirs would be about ‘current affairs’ and said Liz Truss’s new book should be labelled ‘sci-fi or fantasy’.

Theresa May jokes about Liz Truss and holding hands with Donald Trump

Theresa May joked that Boris Johnson’s memoirs would be about ‘current affairs’ and said Liz Truss’s new book should be labelled ‘sci-fi or fantasy’

Salma Ouaguira17 May 2024 09:14
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Hunt slams Angela Rayner over employment

The Chancellor kicks off his attack on Labour and starts targetingAngela Rayner.

He claims the Tory Government has been able to create more job opportunities and curve unemployment.

He claims Labour MP Angel Rayner plans to create a “A French-style inflexible labor market”.

(Getty Images)
Salma Ouaguira17 May 2024 09:12
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‘We will continue to grow'

Jeremy Hunt claims the country’s economy has grown to compete against countries like Japan.

He continues: “Conservative governments are prepared to take difficult decision to get the country up on its feet.

“People who voted conservative trust us to do the right thing.”

Salma Ouaguira17 May 2024 09:10
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Watch live: Jeremy Hunt promises tax cuts if Tories win general election

Watch live: Jeremy Hunt promises tax cuts if Tories win general election

Watch live as Jeremy Hunt delivers a speech on Friday, 17 May, promising further tax cuts if the Conservatives win the general election.

Salma Ouaguira17 May 2024 09:08
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Jeremy Hunt arrives for his pre-election tax pledge

The Chancellor is now up on his feet behind a backdrop that says “Labour’s Tax rises”.

The MP for South West Surrey is hitting on Labour’s pledges and

Praising UK’s economic growth he claims the country had “the soft landing many thought impossible”.

Salma Ouaguira17 May 2024 09:07
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Labour frontbencher hits Tories ahead of Hunt’s speech

Labour MP Peter Kyle told Sky News the Tories should “accept responsibility for what they have done”.

He said “He will be going out today, being the chancellor that has put the taxes up to a 70-year-high.

“We will be going into the election with every single measure being fully costed and fully funded so that people can know what we will be spending during the course of the next election.”

Salma Ouaguira17 May 2024 09:04
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Watch: Fiona Bruce’s four-word warning to Stephen Flynn leaves Question Time audience laughing

Fiona Bruce‘s four-word warning to Stephen Flynn during Thursday’s (16 May) episode of Question Time prompted laughter from the Aberdeen audience.

Fiona Bruce's warning to Stephen Flynn leaves Question Time audience laughing

The SNP Westminster leader had called out Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar for interrupting him during a question on housing.

As Mr Sawar cut in, Mr Flynn asked for him to allow him to finish before the panel host interjected.

Ms Bruce sparked laughter after saying: “You’ve interrupted everybody here.”

Mr Flynn then continued his point, discussing how many homes Scotland had built compared to England and Wales.

Salma Ouaguira17 May 2024 08:56
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‘It’s a bit rich for Jeremy Hunt’ to attack Labour, Rachel Reeves says

The Shadow Chancellor clapped back at Hunt’s criticism that taxes would rise under Labour.

He will say in a speech at 9am that Sir Keir Starmer’s government would raise taxes “as sure as night follows day” and accuse him of “playground politics”.

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks during an event to launch Labour's election pledges at The Backstage Centre on May 16, 2024, in Purfleet, Essex
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks during an event to launch Labour's election pledges at The Backstage Centre on May 16, 2024, in Purfleet, Essex (Getty)

Speaking on BBC Radio Essex, Rachel Reeves says: “It’s a bit rich for Jeremy Hunt to say that. Taxes under the Tories are at 75-year high and under their plans they’re set to go up for each of the next five years. It’s under the Tories that taxes are going up.

“You can’t trust the Tories when it comes to mortgages, when it comes to tax, and indeed when it comes to our public services which are on their knees after 14 years of Conservative government.”

Salma Ouaguira17 May 2024 08:49
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‘Rishi Sunak’s threat of nuclear war failed to move voters'

According to a new poll, Rishi Sunak’s attempts to kickstart the general election campaign with a threat of nuclear war has failed to move voters.

The Techne UK weekly tracker poll seen by The Independent has shown that Mr Sunak’s speech at the Policy Exchange thinktank has left his party rooted on just 21 percent, unchanged from last week.

It also followed a week where pollsters - including Techne UK chief executive Michela Morizzo, Professor Sir John Curtice and Lord Hayward - all also warned that a Tory push to use “culture war” issues to win back voters would not save the Tories.

Initiatives this week included tackling “woke activism” in the civil service with banning rainbow lanyards one of the measures proposed, and banning lessons about trans issues in schools.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech on national security at the Policy Exchange, in London on May 13, 2024
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech on national security at the Policy Exchange, in London on May 13, 2024 (2024 Getty Images)
Salma Ouaguira17 May 2024 08:35

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