Martin Lewis writes to Jeremy Hunt with four demands for spring Budget
Martin Lewis has written to the chancellor urging him to fix financial penalties that are affecting millions of people across the country.
The penalties include child benefits rules, ISA scheme punishments for first-time buyers, above inflation phone and broadcast price hikes, and real terms cuts to student living loans. [ more ]
Do blind trusts for UK ministers really prevent conflicts of interest?
Rishi Sunak, David Cameron, and Jeremy Hunt are among 10 ministers who have declared the use of blind trusts to benefit from investment portfolios while in public office.
Cameron's use of a blind trust as foreign secretary is a departure from his previous policy of selling his investments.
The use of blind trusts raises concerns about conflicts of interest and lack of oversight. [ more ]
What does Jeremy Hunt's autumn statement mean for your benefits?
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a boost to benefits and a huge increase to the state pension, but also detailed a crackdown on some welfare claimants in his autumn statement.
The state pension was boosted by 8.5%, one of the largest-ever increases, while universal credit will be increased by 6.7%.
The announcement includes a fresh crackdown on benefit claimants who do not find work within 18 months. [ more ]
The Guardian view on the budget: plans to placate backbench critics, not meet the nation's needs | Editorial
Jeremy Hunt's austerity policies are not working, leading to higher taxes for millions and cuts to frontline services.
While appealing to wealthy taxpayers with tax rate reductions, Mr. Hunt's policies result in increased taxes for millions and neglect of essential services. [ more ]
All the things missed out of Jeremy Hunt's spring Budget
Jeremy Hunt's budget included a 2p cut in national insurance contributions, but key measures like cutting income tax, scrapping the tourist tax, and business rates reform were notably absent. [ more ]
Britain's AI sector expected to get 100m extra funding in budget
Jeremy Hunt plans a budget boost for Britain's AI sector by doubling funding for the Alan Turing Institute.
The funding will focus on AI in healthcare, environmental protection, defense, and national security, aiming to improve public services and economic growth. [ more ]
Lack of budget details led to work of fiction' forecasts last year, says OBR chief
Jeremy Hunt's economic forecasts last year were criticized by the Office for Budget Responsibility for being based on questionable assumptions.
The OBR chair, Richard Hughes, warned that the tiny margin for error in the government's debt-reduction rules leaves little room for changing assumptions and data revisions. [ more ]
Jeremy Hunt's net zero target claims criticised by climate advisers
Jeremy Hunt has been criticized by the head of the independent Climate Change Committee over his stance on oil and gas extraction in the North Sea.
The interim chair of the CCC challenged Hunt's claim that the government can meet climate targets while allowing more oil and gas extraction.
The CCC has advised against exploring for new fossil fuels, stating that ending UK exploration would signal commitment to the global temperature goal. [ more ]
Jeremy Hunt unsure if government can afford more tax cuts
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is unsure if the government can afford to offer more tax cuts.
The national insurance reduction has come into force, but economists warn that it will not ease the pressure due to the freezing of tax thresholds. [ more ]