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

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.

Key Points

• Chancellor claims Labour will rise taxes “as sure as night follows day”.

• Hunt releases report on Labour’s campaign pledges costs

• Rishi Sunak among top UK’s wealthiest people

• David Lammy launches Labour’s foreign policy pledge

• Plaid Cymru ends agreement with Welsh Labour

Watch: Suella Braverman met with silence while questioning pro-Palestine protesters

17:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Suella Braverman was met with silence when she approached pro-Palestine protesters who had set up an encampment at Cambridge University.

The former home secretary attempted to engage with people wearing masks, asking them what their “message” would be to Israel and Hamas and if they thought hostages should be released.

Each time she tried to talk to protesters, they did not respond to her.

Tents were set up outside the university‘s Senate House ahead of graduation ceremonies due to take place there.

The events were instead held at Downing College due to the protest.

Tory peer resigns whip after being banned for drunken outburst

16:58 , Salma Ouaguira

Lord Kulveer Ranger, Boris Johnson’s former adviser, has resigned the government whip after accusations emerged he bullied and harassed two people.

Following a conduct investigation, he faces being barred from the House of Lords.

A statement from the whip’s office said: “Lord Ranger has resigned the government whip and apologised for his actions, which were an unacceptable breach of the standards of the House, and of parliament.

“The committee has recommended a sanction, which should be respected.”

Bill to stop children from missing school cleared at Commons

16:50 , Salma Ouaguira

The School Attendance (Duties of Local Authorities and Proprietors of Schools) Bill requires councils to monitor regular attendance and reduce absences in their area.

Conservative former minister Vicky Ford, who sponsored the Bill, said even a “tiny” drop in attendance can have long lasting consequences for children.

She said: “And we know that going to school is important, not just for our children’s education but also for their wellbeing, their wider development and their mental health.

“And sadly we know that for many children, the pandemic brought loneliness, loss of communication, loss of face-to-face time with their friends, loss of laughter, and for some children those losses have had a lasting impact.

“This Bill will not be a magic wand, it won’t undo all the harms caused by Covid, but it is a very firm step in a happier and a more positive direction.”

Plaid Cymru ends agreement with Welsh Labour

16:40 , Salma Ouaguira

The party has pulled out of a cooperation agreement with Welsh Labour.

In a statement, the party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Plaid Cymru has ended its Co-Operation agreement with the Welsh Government with immediate effect.“I am proud of the way in which the Agreement demonstrated a new way of doing politics which focused on areas of policy which impact people’s everyday lives.

“These include rolling out free school meals, expanding the free childcare offer for thousands more families, taking radical action to address the housing crisis, steps to safeguard the Welsh language, the creation of a national energy company Ynni Cymru and more.

“Working collaboratively was a constructive response to the chaos and uncertainty of Brexit and the Covid pandemic and the harm caused by the UK Conservative Government. We will continue to try to secure the delivery of policies agreed as part of the Co-operation Agreement.”

Attacking the new first minister, Vaughn Gething, he added he is “worried by the circumstances around the decision to sack” Hannah Blythyn as minister for social partnership yesterday, whom Mr Gething accused of leaking to the media (which she denies).

Members of Scottish Parliament face 500 abusive posts

16:20 , Salma Ouaguira

A pilot programme has unveiled the level of abuse directed at MSPs with almost 500 posts passed to Police Scotland.

After the death of MP Sir David Amess, the Scottish Parliament set about ensuring the safety of elected members, including increasing their level of security.

And a programme set up last year has shown that, for the 38 participating MSPs, 461 threats were deemed serious enough to be passed to Police Scotland.

On average, each MSP was on the receiving end of 12 abusive posts which were reported to police in less than a year.

It is understood there were no direct threats during the trial period – which ran from mid-June last year to the end of March.

But abuse generally centred around protected characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation and race.

Rishi Sunak pleads to be judged on his actions – as he becomes richer than the King

16:00 , Kate Devlin

Downing Street has said Rishi Sunak should be judged on his actions not his £650 million fortune after he became richer than the King.

The latest Sunday Times Rich List suggests the prime minister is now wealthier than King Charles.

The personal fortune of Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty surged by more than £120m over the past year, to £651m, after her shares in her father’s Infosys firm grew by £108.8m.

The King’s fortune rose by £10m to £610m, according to the list.

The Prime Minister’s deputy spokesman said: “He’s been asked about this before and we’d always point people to the actions that he takes to support people…. That’s his focus and his priority and he should be judged on that.”

Comment: Jeremy Hunt just made the case for why you should vote Labour

15:53 , Salma Ouaguira

Jeremy Hunt simply cannot decide whether he is a nice guy or a ruthless political operator.

Today he delivered a cynical pre-election exercise, taking the rules on civil-service impartiality to the limit by engaging Treasury officials to sell the message that Labour would raise taxes writes John Rentoul.

Jeremy Hunt just made the case for why you should vote Labour

Prime Minister announces UK aid arrives in Gaza

15:42 , Salma Ouaguira

Rishi Sunak said a shipment of 8,400 temporary plastic shelters has been delivered to the Gaza Strip.

Both the PM and Lord Cameron have urged Israel to allow at least 500 aid trucks a day into Gaza through land crossings.

And to open as many routes as possible for aid to access the territory.

MPs back law to help terminally ill Brits with pension payments

15:37 , Salma Ouaguira

The House of Commons has cleared a proposal to ensure terminally ill people have access to payments for longer.

The Bill’s sponsor Conservative MP Laurence Robertson earlier said: “It will provide financial assurance to those who have received the devastating diagnosis of a terminal illness and have also seen the sponsors of their pension scheme become insolvent.”

The Bill covers two schemes, the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) and the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS), which provide funding to pensioners whose defined benefit schemes have become insolvent.

Work and pensions minister Mims Davies added: “The changes this Bill makes will mean that members are able to rightly claim their compensation on the grounds of terminal illness if a medical professional confirms that they have less than 12 months to live, rather than the current six months.”

Tory Senedd leader slams Plaid Cymru for trying to save face

15:25 , Salma Ouaguira

Andrew RT Davies. leader of the Welsh Conservatives, has reacted to the shocking news Plaid Cymru is ending agreement with the Labour government in Wales.

He said: “The end of Labour and Plaid Cymru’s coalition is simply an attempt to save face.

“Together, Labour and Plaid have worked together to divert resources away from the people’s priorities and towards vanity projects like putting more Senedd members in Cardiff Bay, and have been hand in glove on policies like the destructive sustainable farming scheme and 20mph.

“This move from Plaid means nothing and the Welsh public won’t be fooled.”

Welsh First Minister disappointed by Plaid Cymru

15:07 , Salma Ouaguira

The Welsh Labour leader has been left disappointed by the after the party abruptly pulled out of the agreement.

Vaughan Gething said: “While it was always a time limited agreement, we are disappointed Plaid Cymru has decided to walk away from their opportunity to deliver for the people of Wales.”

In full: Vaughan Gething could soon face a no-confidence vote

14:58 , Salma Ouaguira

Plaid Cymru has ended its cooperation deal in the Senedd with Welsh Labour, in the latest blow for first minister Vaughan Gething – who critics say could soon face a no-confidence vote.

The three-year deal had been due to end in December 2024 – but Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has announced on Friday that the agreement had been terminated with “immediate effect”.

The collapse comes after the Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies claimed it was “odds on” that a no-confidence motion to force the first minister’s resignation would soon be brought forward by opposition members.

Click here to read Andy Gregory’s story in full

Breaking: Plaid Cymru ends agreement with Welsh Labour

14:30 , Salma Ouaguira

The party has pulled out of a cooperation agreement with Welsh Labour.

In a statement, the party leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Plaid Cymru has ended its Co-Operation agreement with the Welsh Government with immediate effect.“I am proud of the way in which the Agreement demonstrated a new way of doing politics which focused on areas of policy which impact people’s everyday lives.

“These include rolling out free school meals, expanding the free childcare offer for thousands more families, taking radical action to address the housing crisis, steps to safeguard the Welsh language, the creation of a national energy company Ynni Cymru and more.

“Working collaboratively was a constructive response to the chaos and uncertainty of Brexit and the Covid pandemic and the harm caused by the UK Conservative Government. We will continue to try to secure the delivery of policies agreed as part of the Co-operation Agreement.”

Attacking the new first minister, Vaughn Gething, he added he is “worried by the circumstances around the decision to sack” Hannah Blythyn as minister for social partnership yesterday, whom Mr Gething accused of leaking to the media (which she denies).

‘Labour has no plans for tax changes,’ says Shadow Financial Secretary

14:26 , Salma Ouaguira

James Murray says the party has specific tax measures to inject cash into public services if the party gets elected.

To fund the pledges made by Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday, he claims Labour will get the economy growing.

But he adds: “We’ve got no plans for any tax changes beyond what we’ve set out.”

“We think the tax burden on working people is already too high, and we want to see the tax burden come down.

“And we’re very clear we would only do that on the basis of responsible management of the economy, of a stable economy, of economic growth.

“We wouldn’t make any unfunded or uncosted spending commitments, like the Conservatives are doing with the £46bn pledge to end National Insurance.”

Social media, the new election campaign playground

14:20 , Salma Ouaguira

Beyond the conference stages, a fiery campaign war is being played online.

Labour and the Conservatives’ are hitting at each other on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Vaccines minister talks of ‘overwhelming’ death threats days after Slovakian PM assassination attempt

14:14 , Salma Ouaguira

The vaccines minister has spoken of the “overwhelming” death threats she receives, just days after the leader of Slovakia was shot in an assassination attempt.

Maria Caulfield said threats on her life rose every time the House of Commons discussed jabs.

The Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, was attacked on Wednesday during a meeting with his supporters.

Mr Fico remains “between life and death”, his ally the Hungarian leader Viktor Orban said on Friday.

The shooting, the first major assassination attempt on a European political leader for more than 20 years, has sent shockwaves through Westminster.

Click here to read Kate Devlin’s full story

Health Secretary has seen “darkest corners” of NHS

14:09 , Salma Ouaguira

Victoria Atkins, who said she gave birth on the NHS, has recognised people are “not getting the services they should do”.

Speaking on BBC, she said: “I have seen some brilliant parts of the NHS, but I’ve also seen some of its darker corners.”

The Conservative MP, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, said working conditions are also an issue.

She then promised to “help junior doctors with some of the working conditions that they are facing that make life really tough for them”.

In full: Jeremy Hunt launches Tory fightback over Labour’s ‘disgraceful, fake news, lie’

13:55 , Salma Ouaguira

Jeremy Hunt accused Labour of telling “a lie” about Tory tax plans as he launched his party’s fightback in a week where the starting gun on the election campaign was fired.

In an unusually fiery speech by the chancellor, he claimed Labour’s attempts to scare voters about the future of the state pension was “disgraceful”.

He also alleged that “the most conservative estimate” of Keir Starmer’s spending plans would cost £38.5billion and means “Labour will have no choice but to put up taxes further” to fill a £10billion black hole in government finances by 2028/29.

Mr Hunt acknowledged that “difficult decisions” are needed because of the global financial shocks of the covid pandemic, and that war in Ukraine had meant he had been forced to increase taxes. However, he insisted that the election “will be framed about what the parties want to do about the tax burden”.

Voters back taxing rich more to help pay for NHS, poll finds

13:45 , Salma Ouaguira

To know more, click on Andy Gregory’s story bellow:

Voters back taxing rich to pay for NHS – as list shows Sunak wealthier than the King

David Lammy: ‘Labour will empower the Foreign Office'

13:35 , Salma Ouaguira

In a bid to convince voters, he has promised that his party will replace the existing foreign and diplomatic strategy with the sharpest geopolitical minds.

He added: “We cannot meet the disruptive challenges of the 2020s with a 20th century diplomatic playbook. In an era of fiscal constraint, we need to work smarter, adapt our tools and make better use of technology.”

‘UK foreign relations suffer lack of grand strategy,’ David Lammy says

13:25 , Salma Ouaguira

The Shadow Foreign Secretary has outlined his own policy pledges as part of Labour’s fierce electoral campaign.

During his speech today at the Institute for Government, he said the UK needs to tackle the lack of diplomatic strategy or it will be “buffeted by the tides of superpower competition”.

He said: “The last Labour government upgraded the-then policy planners function into an expanded strategy unit. Countries that execute international strategy effectively, from the US to Singapore, place a huge emphasis on such functions.

“But at present, neither the FCDO nor the national security council is delivering the sharp, coherent international strategy which the country urgently needs.

“Without such strategy we should expect to be buffeted by the tides of superpower competition, not only between the US and China, but also by the many rising powers who are threatening our competitive advantages economically and militarily.”

Labour pokes fun at the Chancellor

13:10 , Salma Ouaguira

The Labour party’s official account has mocked Jeremy Hunt’s backdrop during his tax cuts speech.

Comment: Project Starmer, like Project Blair, is all about one thing - winning

13:00 , Salma Ouaguira

Despite some woolly promises (and the noticeable absence of a pledge on income tax), the Labour leader who set out his six pledges in Essex is a quantum leap improvement on the Starmer of a year ago, writes Joe Murphy.

Project Starmer, like Project Blair, is all about one thing

Sunak should be judged on his record not his wealth, says No 10

12:58 , Salma Ouaguira

The Prime Minister and his wife Akshata Murty has been crowned one of top Britain’s richest people.

His staggering wealth came in at 245th on the annual Sunday Times Rich List list.

Unlike his popularity on the polls, Sunak’s wealth has increased from £529million in 2023 to £651million. This means he is now richer than King Charles.

But Downing Street has defended the PM saying he would be judged by his actions, not his wallet.

The Prime Minister’s deputy spokesman said: “He’s been asked about this before and we’d always point people to the actions that he takes to support people.

“When he’s been asked this question before, he’s responded that people should judge him by his actions, such as providing support during the pandemic. That’s his focus and his priority and he should be judged on that.”

Starmer is ‘Blair without the flair’, says Nigel Farage

12:37 , Salma Ouaguira

The Reform UK president has attacked Sir Keir Starmer after his keynote speech on Thursday.

Speaking on GB News, he said: “It’s absolutely identical. Now look there is an argument that if you find a winning formula you keep using it.

“But I just put this to you folks. This is Blair without the flair. This is almost a charisma-free zone. But crucially, does this win your vote?”

Suella mocked online after attending pro-Palestine uni encampments

12:24 , Salma Ouaguira

Tory MP Suella Braverman is facing fierce backlash online for a resurfaced video where she visited pro-Palestine encampments in Cambridge yesterday.

Footage from GB News shows protesters refusing to answer the former Home Secretary’s questions.

In the video, she says: “These are supposed to be some of the brightest and the best students in the land, and taught in the art of articulating their views.

“And expressing arguments in a coherent way. And I’me interested in hearing their argument. Engaging and listening”

New Welsh Minister appointed after Hannah Blyhtyn sacking

12:16 , Salma Ouaguira

First Minister of Wales Vaughn Gething has replaced MPs Blyhtyn after she was suspended for allegedly leaking confidential messages to the media.

Sarah Murphy, MS for Bridgend, will now fill the junior ministerial role.

Mr Gething said yesterday he had “no alternative” but to ask the Blythyn to resign.

She then said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the decision and denied all accusations.

Polls: Voters back taxing rich more to pay for NHS

12:04 , Salma Ouaguira

The new FocalData survey commissioned by the group Tax Justice UK suggests that there is public support for major changes to the tax system.

Nearly two thirds of voters would be more likely to back a political party committed to higher taxes on the wealthiest to fund the NHS and public services.Told that a 1 to 2 per cent ‘mansion tax’ on assets worth over £10m would affect around 20,000 people and could raise up to £22bn a year, 72 per cent of respondents indicated that they would support for such a tax, with 73 per cent backing such a toll to help invest in the NHS.

And 57 per cent of the survey’s 1,011 respondents said they would support charging the same tax rate on income derived from wealth as on income earned from employment.

Click here to read Andy Gregory’s full story

James Cleverly defends Rwanda scheme despite backlash

11:53 , Salma Ouaguira

The Home Secretary says he stands still behind the Government’s intention to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

He says: “We’ve recognised that there has been a concerted effort to prevent this policy being deployed through legal challenge.

“And we’ve made sure that the law, the Safety of Rwanda Act, is robust, that it addresses the legal concerns that were highlighted to us.”

Mr Cleverly adds the Conservatives are pushing to fly off people to save lives and “breaking the business model of criminal gangs”.

His claims come despite the Supreme Court ruling Rwanda is not a safe country.

Andrew Mitchell, the deputy foreign secretary, previously said not only is it safe, but Kigali, the Rwandan capital, is safer than London.

MPs support proposals to extend pubs’ opening hours

11:40 , Salma Ouaguira

The policy would make it easier for boozers and other hospitality venues to extend their opening hours during national and local events.

The proposal is now a step closer into to becoming law thanks to support from MPs.

Labour’s Emma Lewell-Buck, who was the first to draft the Licensing Hours Extensions Bill, says it aims to simplify the “costly, overly bureaucratic, time consuming and restrictive” parliamentary process and make it possible for an order to be approved when Parliament is in recess.

The South Shields MP said there was a “missed opportunity” when England reached the final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia last year, due to Parliament’s licensing rules.

Member of Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet ‘misspoke’ - to the tune of £70bn - on key green policy

11:35 , Salma Ouaguira

A member of Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet has said he “misspoke” - to the tune of £70bn – about one of his party’s key green policies.

Months after Labour faced criticism for scaling back plans to spend £28bn a year on environmental investments, shadow environment secretary Steve Reed appeared to suggest that figure had increased again.

But he later said he “clearly misspoke” and insisted the cost of GB Energy was much lower.

Click here to read Kate Deviln’s story in full

‘A very messy divorce,’ Shadow Foreign Secretary says

11:25 , Salma Ouaguira

David Lammy is taking questions from the media after finishing his speech outlining Labour’s foreign policy pledges.

Speaking about Brexit and future security pacts with the EU, he says: “The UK had a very messy divorce.”

Referring to Northern Ireland’s Brexit deal, he says: “It was only with the Windsor framework that we got custody of the children.

“A Labour government can build trust back between the UK and European Union over security pacts.”

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

In full: Jeremy Hunt launches Tory fightback over Labour’s ‘disgraceful, fake news, lie’

11:20 , Salma Ouaguira

Jeremy Hunt accused Labour of telling “a lie” about Tory tax plans as he launched his party’s fightback in a week where the starting gun on the election campaign was fired.

In an unusually fiery speech by the chancellor, he claimed Labour’s attempts to scare voters about the future of the state pension was “disgraceful”.

He also alleged that “the most conservative estimate” of Keir Starmer’s spending plans would cost £38.5billion and means “Labour will have no choice but to put up taxes further” to fill a £10billion black hole in government finances by 2028/29.

Mr Hunt acknowledged that “difficult decisions” needed because of the global financial shocks of the covid pandemic and war in Ukraine had meant he had been forced to increase taxes.

However, he insisted that the election “will be framed about what the parties want to do about the tax burden.”

Click here to read David Maddox’s full story

Watch: Moment Jeremy Hunt accuses Labour of spreading ‘fake news'

11:13 , Salma Ouaguira

Jeremy Hunt accuses Labour of spreading ‘fake news’ to win election

Rishi Sunak among top UK’s wealthiest people

11:12 , Salma Ouaguira

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty have seen their personal fortune surge by £150m to £651 million.

Sunday Times Rich List 2024: Who are the wealthiest people in the UK?

Diane Abbott says not being readmitted into party was Starmer’s decision

11:09 , Salma Ouaguira

The suspended MP for Hackney has opened up about the reason she hasn’t been readmitted into the Labour Party.

Ms Abbott was suspended after suggesting Jewish, Irish and Traveller people were not subject to racism “all their lives”.

Sir Keir Starmer has been hit by backlash after he welcomed former Tory MP Natalie Elphicke but not Ms Abbott.

Labour pokes fun at Jeremy Hunt

11:02 , Salma Ouaguira

The official account of the Labour Party has shared an edited picture on social media mocking his backdrop.

The party has jokingly changed the original “Labour’s Tax Rises” with “£870 Worse Off”.

It is a reference of Labour’s accusations that the Tories will leave families £870 a year worse off by the end of the decade.

Tory peer banned from Lords bars for ‘bullying and harassment'

10:56 , Salma Ouaguira

Conservative peer Kulveer Ranger has been accused of bullying and harassing two people while drunk in Parliament’s Strangers’ Bar in January.

Following an investigation, the House of Lords Conduct Committee have suspended him from the House for three weeks.

Lord Ranger has apologised, saying he was “deeply mortified at the descriptions of my behaviour” and “saddened to hear that I caused you any distress”.

Labour MP David Lammy is giving a speech

10:53 , Salma Ouaguira

The Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs is setting out Labour’s foreign policy pledge.

Speaking from the Institute for Government, he is hitting at the Conservatives’ Foreign Office.

He says: “We need serious technology experts. If we want to understand China we need Chinese experts.”

You can watch his speech live here

'Conservatives vs Labour election’

10:42 , Salma Ouaguira

Following Jeremy Hunt’s speech, the Tories have shared on social media a poster accusing Labour of digging a billion-worth blackhole.

The post confirms the election will be framed around accusations between the two main parties.

Lib Dems weight in

10:42 , Salma Ouaguira

The Liberal Democrats have also hit back at Jeremy Hunt.

Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney claims the Chancellor’s analysis puts 6.5 million Brits in a higher tax band.

She adds: “Jeremy Hunt owes an apology to the millions of hardworking Brits who will be forced to pay more tax as a result of his swindling budgets.

“The Conservative party is trying to take the British public for fools with this shameless attempt to erase Liz Truss’s botched budget and their unfair tax hikes.

“Voters across the country and in his marginal Surrey constituency will see right through this. Jeremy Hunt cannot defend his record of soaring mortgages, rocketing food prices and crippling tax rises.”

Sadiq Khan urges Labour to call out Donald Trump on sexism and racism

10:34 , Salma Ouaguira

Newly re-elected London mayor says he has more latitude to criticise US president than Labour parliamentarians.

Sadiq Khan urges Labour to call out Donald Trump on sexism and racism

Is Royal Mail being sold to a Czech billionaire?

10:27 , Salma Ouaguira

During his speech, the Chancellor was asked by the media about the possibility Royal Meal could be acquired by foreign companies.

It comes as Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group put forward a higher proposed bid worth around £3.5 billion, according to reports.

Although he welcomed any international investors in British companies, he would still consider what the deal would mean for national security.

He said: “We do always look at national security considerations and make sure that in terms of our core infrastructure there are no risks to those going forward and any bid for Royal Mail would go through that normal process.”

Liz Truss ‘didn’t stand in his way,’ Jeremy Hunt says

10:14 , Salma Ouaguira

Mr Hunt also said “to her credit” Liz Truss did not “stand in my way” after he was appointed as Chancellor following the fallout from her mini-budget.

The Chancellor was asked whether he agreed with Theresa May that the former prime minister’s agenda undermined public confidence in the Conservatives’ economic management.

To which he answered: “Mistakes were made and the first thing I did as Chancellor was to reverse those mistakes and I’ve been very open about it.

“To her credit, after appointing me as Chancellor Liz Truss did not stand in my way at all, and she told me very clearly I needed to do what I had to do, and I did.”

Chancellor can’t give guarantee taxes will fall under Tories

10:07 , Salma Ouaguira

The Chancellor said he could not “look into a crystal ball and predict what’s going to happen” in the future.

During media questions, he was asked whether he could give a cast-iron guarantee that taxes will fall.

To which he said: “If you’re saying can I look into a crystal ball and predict what is going to happen in the world in the next five or 10 years, and therefore give you a cast-iron guarantee of when we will be able to reduce the tax burden and to what level, the answer is of course I can’t, and it would be irresponsible to do so.”

Labour pulls out the red card at Jeremy Hunt

10:02 , Salma Ouaguira

Just minutes after the Chancellor accused Labour of “lying” over the state of the economy, the party hits back.

A Labour spokesperson said: “This is another desperate attempt by the Tories to deflect from their £46 billion unfunded tax plan that could lead to higher borrowing, higher taxes on pensioners or the end of the state pension as we know it.

“All of Labour’s policies are fully costed and fully funded. Unlike the Conservatives who crashed the economy, Labour will never play fast and loose with the public finances.

“Jeremy Hunt would be better spent getting Rishi Sunak to confirm the date of the election, rather than putting out any more of these dodgy dossiers.”

‘Billions of pounds of unfunded spending commitments,’ Hunt attacks

09:59 , Salma Ouaguira

Jeremy Hunt has just released a report on Labour’s campaign pledges costs.

The Chancellor has revealed a 19-page analysis detailing how much he thinks the party’s promises would cost taxpayers.

The report says: “The result of this economic failure is a black hole of over £10 billion a year by 2028-29 or nearly £38.5 billion over the next four years. This means one of two things – either Labour will break their fiscal rules or they will have to put taxes up.

“It would be the height of irresponsibility to break the fiscal rules. It would take us back to square one. It would mean an increase to VAT, or National Insurance or Income Tax.

“This would be a hammer blow for families up and down the country.”

Chancellor: ‘We’ve taken necessary decisions’

09:53 , Salma Ouaguira

During his speech, Jeremy Hunt has admitted living standards have fallen because of “two massive global shocks”, the pandemic and an energy crisis.

He says: “What British families know is that Conservative governments faced with those shocks don’t duck the difficult decisions necessary, as Gordon Brown did in the run up to the 2010 election when he left the government with no money and a Conservative government to pick up the pieces.

“We take those difficult decisions and I would challenge your suggestion I’m painting a rosy picture. I’m painting a brutally realistic picture.

“It has been very, very tough, but that is why people choose Conservative governments because we take the difficult decisions that are necessary.”

Jeremy Hunt’s pre -election tax pledge has now ended

09:42 , Salma Ouaguira

Here are the key takeaways from the Chancellor’s speech:

• Hunt has attacked Labour and says he refutes “myths” that the economy is doing worse under the Tories.

• He claims the economy has faces “three massive shocks” - a financial crisis, the pandemic, and the war in Ukraine.

• He is convinced the Government has got the country “back on its feet” and it has “rewarded the trust of people who vote Conservative, because they trust us to do the right thing on the economy”.

• He slams Labour by saying the party “lied” about the economy and Starmer’s pledges will be “profound and damaging” for taxpayers.

Hunt frames election battle against Labour over tax

09:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Jeremy Hunt claims tax is the big choice in British politics.

He says: “If we are worried about tax, I would just say one very simple thing - there is a choice.

“A future Labour government does not want to cut the tax burden. A future Conservative government will. That is the big choice in British politics. And our argument is this isn’t just about family budgets, we understand how important those are when it comes to cost of living pressures.

“Our argument is this is about the future growth of our economy... More lightly-taxed economies have more dynamic private sectors, they grow faster and in the end that means more money for precious public services like the NHS.”

Jeremy Hunt slams Labour’s economy claims as ‘fake news’

09:28 , Salma Ouaguira

The Chancellor has branded Labour’s claims that the economy is doing worse under the Tories as “myths”.

He says: “It is a lie, I don’t make any bones about it. It is fake news. And it is an absolute disgrace to try and win this election by scaring pensioners about a policy that is not true.

“I want to say to every pensioner in the country, which is the party that wants to bring down taxis that everyone pays, and which is the party that you know will increase it?”

‘Unfunded pledges'

09:20 , Salma Ouaguira

Hunt claims Labour will rise taxes “as sure as night follows day”.

But he adds taxes will go down under the Tories because “we will do the right thing”.

Addressing the Labour Party directly, he asks: “Come clean to the British people, which taxes will you rise to pay for your pledges?”

Hunt hits Labour’s electoral pledges

09:17 , Salma Ouaguira

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.

Theresa May says general election defeat for Sunak is not a foregone conclusion

09:14 , Salma Ouaguira

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

Hunt slams Angela Rayner over employment

09:12 , Salma Ouaguira

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”.

‘We will continue to grow'

09:10 , Salma Ouaguira

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.”

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

09:08 , Salma Ouaguira

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

Jeremy Hunt arrives for his pre-election tax pledge

09:07 , Salma Ouaguira

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”.

Labour frontbencher hits Tories ahead of Hunt’s speech

09:04 , Salma Ouaguira

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.”

Watch: Fiona Bruce’s four-word warning to Stephen Flynn leaves Question Time audience laughing

08:56 , Salma Ouaguira

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

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.

‘It’s a bit rich for Jeremy Hunt’ to attack Labour, Rachel Reeves says

08:49 , Salma Ouaguira

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”.

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.”

‘Rishi Sunak’s threat of nuclear war failed to move voters'

08:35 , Salma Ouaguira

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.

Click here to read the full story

Chancellor to announce new tax cuts in speech

08:30 , Salma Ouaguira

Jeremy Hunt is set to unveil further tax cuts in a speech from London this morning.

As part of his pre-election pledge, the Tory MP will attempt to convince voters by promising “taxes will go down under a Conservative government”.

He will also accuse Labour opposite number Rachel Reeves of planning hikes to cover spending pledges.

Mr Hunt will: “Labour like to criticise tax rises this parliament thinking people don’t know why they have gone up – the furlough scheme, the energy price guarantee and billions of pounds of cost-of-living support, policies Labour themselves supported.

“Which is why it is playground politics to use those tax rises to distract debate from the biggest divide in British politics – which is what happens next.

“Conservatives recognise that whilst those tax rises may have been necessary, they should not be permanent. Labour do not.”