'TOP PRIORITY'
Rishi Sunak vows again to cut taxes over next few years and says spending spree Budget was ‘clear statement of intent’
RISHI Sunak today declared cutting taxes on ordinary Brits will be his "priority" from now on.
The Chancellor said he's committed to reducing the amount paid by workers as he hailed the UK's recovery from Covid.
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He said yesterday's budget was a "demonstration of intent" and that he's "not comfortable" with the current tax burden.
Asked about his plans for future spending today, he said: "My ambition is to lower taxes for people. That's what I would like to do.
"As Chancellor, we had to take some corrective reaction as a result of the crisis and the response we took to it, but hopefully that is now done.
"And as we demonstrated yesterday, our priority is to make sure that work pays and we reward people's efforts.
"I'm delighted we could make a start on that. I made a very clear demonstration of our intent yesterday."
Pressed on the fact he's raised taxes by more than any Chancellor since 1993, he replied: "I'm not happy about that and I'm not comfortable about it.
But it is the result of the country and the economy is suffering an economic shock the likes of which we haven't seen in 300 years.
"And our response to that to help get the country through it. From this point on my priority is to be able to cut taxes for people
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The Chancellor has previously suggested he wants to be in a position to announce tax cuts in the run up to the 2024 election.
During yesterday's Budget he hailed what the Government is already doing to reduce the burden on Brits.
Touting his achievements in office, he boomed: "Fuel duty cut, air passenger duty cut, alcohol duty cut.
"The biggest cut to business rates in 30 years. Growth up, jobs up, wages up, public finances back in a better place.
"More investment in infrastructure, innovation and skills. A pay rise for over two millions people and a £2bn tax cut for the lowest paid.
"This budget helps with the cost of living. This budget levels up to a higher wage, higher skill higher productivity economy.
"This budget builds a stronger economy for the British people."
In a landmark budget the Chancellor swiped the nation's credit card with a cash-splashing Budget of cheaper booze, Universal Credit boosts and minimum wage hikes.
He seized upon a roaring economic bounce back to announce "historically" high spending with more money for public services.
In a major win for Brits he announced measures to fix the delivery crisis, pour money into our World Cup bid and end the pay freeze for teachers and cops.
Mr Sunak gave a rosy picture of the nation's economy by hailing rising employment, investment and wages.
He revealed the economy is now expected to recover fully from Covid by the end of the year, earlier than thought last March.
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Seizing on the positive outlook, he vowed to throw an arm around vulnerable families struggling with the cost of living with "historically high levels of public spending".
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But the Chancellor insisted we need to fix the roof while the sun is shining by getting the finances back on to a more even keel.
He unveiled strict new rules forcing him to cut borrowing and making it harder to splash the cash - "because this isn’t the government's money, this is taxpayer's money."
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