Jeremy Hunt clashes with BBC Radio 4 host over UK economy

       Jeremy Hunt clashed with BBC Radio 4 host Emma Barnett in a testy interview this morning.

       The fiery moment came as the BBC presenter pressed the Chancellor on whether he felt wealthier following the cost-of-living crisis.

       Mr Hunt, who defended the UK's economy after inflation dropped to 2.3%, replied: "It's lovely talking to you Emma but it's almost like you're not actually listening to the answers I give."

       The host replied: "I am listening incredibly carefully."

       Mr Hunt went on: "Well then let me say this. I said you we've created more jobs than anywhere else in Europe, we've had more foreign investment.

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       "I notice you've got very good researchers on the Today programme you haven't challenged me on any of those facts and the reason I don't think you've challenged me is because you know they're true."

       Ms Barnett insisted she was listening, prompting Mr Hunt to say: "Well we're going to get on just fine aren't we?"

       The presenter then pressed the Chancellor to answer her question on if he felt wealthier after the cost-of-living squeeze.

       He could be heard saying "me too" when Ms Barnett said she was interested in her listeners' household finances.

       Addressing her question, Mr Hunt said: "It is nothing to do with me. It is to do with my responsibilities as Chancellor.

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       "What I know when I became Chancellor is we had the Office for Budget Responsibility saying we were going to have the biggest fall in living standards ever.

       "We had the Bank of England saying that we were going to have the deepest, the longest recession for a hundred years.

       "What did Rishi Sunak and I do? We had cost-of-living support at about ￡3,000 per household, we paid for about half of people's electricity bills.

       "The result of those difficult decisions, and they were difficult because in the end we had to put up taxes to pay for some of those decisions, but the result is that living standards have gone up since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister, we haven't had that long recession."

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