Rishi Sunak clashes with BBC radio 4 presenter on taxation
Rishi Sunak tells the country “now is the time to look forward” as he promises to put money back in people’s pockets.
The Prime Minister says it is time to “move on” from the high tax, high spend, high borrowing Covid era to build a brighter future for the nation.
Mr Sunak vows he will take the right decisions, not the easy ones now inflation has fallen dramatically since its punishing double digit high.
But he warns Labour will put the hard work at risk with ￡28 billion of unfunded spending plans.
Writing in the Daily Express, Mr Sunak said: “We’ve got to move on from the spending, high borrowing, high tax approach that was necessary to get us through Covid and the energy crisis.
“Now is the time to look forward. To do the right thing, not the easy thing – for pensioners and for everyone in our country.
“To take long-term decisions to build a brighter future. And only this government has the right plan to do that.”
RED MORE:
Rishi Sunak takes brutal swipe at Ireland after it makes 'misguided' decision
Rishi Sunak warned 'it's all over' by David Cameron's former top aide
Rishi Sunak has promised to get the UK moving again with a wave of tax cuts (Image: PA)
In a moving reflection on his own upbringing, Mr Sunak told how he owes “everything” to his family upbringing.
His parents Yashvir and Usha met when they migrated to the UK, with his father becoming an NHS GP and while his ran a local pharmacy.
“They overcame huge odds to give our family a better future,” he said. Mr Sunak said every family will have their own stories of sacrifice.
“Whatever it is – we owe our pensioners an enormous debt of gratitude,” he added. “And I believe the measure of a good society is how we treat our elders.”
The PM insisted tackling inflation was the right priority this year as it piles the heaviest burden on those who struggle most.
Last month he met one of his five pledges - halving inflation - when it dropped from 11 per cent in January to 4.6 per cent.
Mr Sunak said it will ease pressure on shopping bills and mortgage rates.
“This hasn’t happened by accident,” he added. It’s the result of difficult decisions we’ve taken to be responsible with the public finances. And there’s more we need to do to keep inflation falling.
Trending
“But while the job is not yet done – I believe we can now change gear.”
He highlighted how that will begin with the biggest package of tax cuts since the 1980s from next month. National insurance is being reduced by two per cent, which will save someone earning ￡35,000 more than ￡450.
Mr Sunak warned that his plan to put the economy back on track after the shocks it suffered from Covid and the invasion of Ukraine will be put at risk under Sir Keir Starmer.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Rishi Sunak plans to axe inheritance tax in huge giveaway before 2024 election
841 Comments
UK economy to become fastest growing in Europe beating Germany, France and Spain
1347 Comments
Jeremy Hunt blasts economic 'Scrooges' talking Britain down
706 Comments
Brits looking to remortgage face ‘painful' costs as interest rates remain high
Comments
James Dyson praises Liz Truss in stinging swipe at Rishi Sunak as UK on brink of recession
169 Comments
Dramatic inflation drop a definitive cause for celebration
2 Comments
Rishi Sunak suffers blow on borrowing pledge with increased cost worth ￡200 per head
63 Comments
State pensioners could have to pay tax on their payments in just two years' time
4 Comments
My 2024 forecast for next year's financial winners and losers
Comments
POLL: What do you think should happen to inheritance tax?
2 Comments
Jeremy Hunt confirms date of the next Budget, as reports emerge of major tax giveaway
381 Comments
Sunak plan to scrap inheritance tax is a naked electoral bribe - would you vote for it?
144 Comments
Savers urged 'now is the time to act' for real returns on cash as inflation drops to 3.9%
1 Comments
Rishi Sunak can prove his critics wrong again in 2024 - Leo McKinstry
43 Comments
Falling interest rates, mortgages and MORE tax cuts - just how good is 2024 going to get?
163 Comments
Tory MPs warn Jeremy Hunt the public need to see tax cuts
140 Comments
Spring Budget 2024 predictions from income tax to fuel duty - full list
5 Comments
Jeremy Hunt considering major tax changes to rescue Tory election hopes
175 Comments
We are moving forward with our plan for tax cuts to create a brighter future for all
29 Comments
MPs urge Bank of England to slash interest rates to kickstart economy for 2024
78 Comments
Rishi Sunak plans to axe inheritance tax in huge giveaway before 2024 election
841 Comments
UK economy to become fastest growing in Europe beating Germany, France and Spain
1347 Comments
Jeremy Hunt blasts economic 'Scrooges' talking Britain down
706 Comments
Brits looking to remortgage face ‘painful' costs as interest rates remain high
Comments
James Dyson praises Liz Truss in stinging swipe at Rishi Sunak as UK on brink of recession
169 Comments
Dramatic inflation drop a definitive cause for celebration
2 Comments
Rishi Sunak suffers blow on borrowing pledge with increased cost worth ￡200 per head
63 Comments
State pensioners could have to pay tax on their payments in just two years' time
4 Comments
My 2024 forecast for next year's financial winners and losers
Comments
POLL: What do you think should happen to inheritance tax?
2 Comments
Jeremy Hunt confirms date of the next Budget, as reports emerge of major tax giveaway
381 Comments
Sunak plan to scrap inheritance tax is a naked electoral bribe - would you vote for it?
144 Comments
Savers urged 'now is the time to act' for real returns on cash as inflation drops to 3.9%
1 Comments
Rishi Sunak can prove his critics wrong again in 2024 - Leo McKinstry
43 Comments
Falling interest rates, mortgages and MORE tax cuts - just how good is 2024 going to get?
163 Comments
Tory MPs warn Jeremy Hunt the public need to see tax cuts
140 Comments
Spring Budget 2024 predictions from income tax to fuel duty - full list
5 Comments
Jeremy Hunt considering major tax changes to rescue Tory election hopes
175 Comments
We are moving forward with our plan for tax cuts to create a brighter future for all
29 Comments
MPs urge Bank of England to slash interest rates to kickstart economy for 2024
78 Comments
Rishi Sunak plans to axe inheritance tax in huge giveaway before 2024 election
841 Comments
UK economy to become fastest growing in Europe beating Germany, France and Spain
1347 Comments
Jeremy Hunt blasts economic 'Scrooges' talking Britain down
706 Comments
Brits looking to remortgage face ‘painful' costs as interest rates remain high
Comments
James Dyson praises Liz Truss in stinging swipe at Rishi Sunak as UK on brink of recession
169 Comments
Dramatic inflation drop a definitive cause for celebration
2 Comments
Rishi Sunak suffers blow on borrowing pledge with increased cost worth ￡200 per head
63 Comments
He said: “First cut inflation, then cut taxes – that’s always been my mantra. But contrast our approach with the Labour party. They want to spend ￡28 billion every year without any plan on how to pay for it.
“And we all know what that will mean – higher taxes for families across the county, putting at risk all the progress we’ve made, and take our country backwards.”
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
Related articles Low earners to pay ￡401 more tax next year despite National Insurance cuts Jeremy Hunt 'raids public services funding' to pay for tax cuts Jeremy Hunt's stealth taxes will damage growth, economists warn Tax cuts may be on the way for homeowners as the PM alludes to reductions Penny Mordaunt takes hilarious swipe at David Cameron in brutal speech