Join our free email newsletter on Brexit and beyond to receive the most recent news about the impact of Brexit on the United Kingdom.
Subscribe to our Brexit newsletter to stay updated with the latest information.
The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, attributed the years of political turmoil to Brexit, acknowledging that it has had a negative impact on Britain’s economy.
The UK’s economy was compared to a “sprained ankle” by the cabinet minister, who disagreed with the assessment that it was more like a “broken leg.” He also defended his tax cuts announced in the autumn statement.
“I believe there is a specific reason for the political instability and frequent changes we have experienced – and I do not consider it to be a positive thing,” Mr. Hunt acknowledged regarding the recent turmoil within the Tory party.
According to Mr Hunt, the 2016 Brexit vote has resulted in a significant amount of political instability, which was further exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, causing disorder within the government.
During a conference held by the Resolution Foundation think tank on Monday, it was stated that Brexit resulted in a hung parliament, which ultimately created a highly tumultuous political climate.
According to the speaker, the citizens of Britain had chosen to exit the European Union, but there was a lack of consensus among parliament on the method. This ultimately led to the downfall of Theresa May’s government.
In regards to recent events, Mr. Hunt stated that there have been changes within Whitehall. He expressed his hope for more stability in the future, as he believes it would be beneficial for policy-making.
His remarks were made as the influential research organization released a recent study uncovering the extensive magnitude of the United Kingdom’s economic issues.
The Resolution Foundation discovered that the United Kingdom has experienced a decrease in relative standing for 15 years, with productivity growth only at half the pace of other developed nations.
Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt are relying on tax cuts to stimulate economic growth.
According to the report, the UK’s lowest-income households have a living standard that is £4,300 less than their French counterparts. Additionally, the average worker in the UK experiences a loss of £10,700 in pay growth per year.
The report, which spans almost 300 pages, cautioned that it will likely take until at least 2027 for household incomes to return to the level they were before the cost-of-living crisis. Additionally, income inequality in the UK is greater than any other large European country.
However, Mr. Hunt attempted to provide a more positive perspective during a Q&A session at the conference. One attendee questioned why the think tank was characterizing the economy as having a “broken leg” while the “chief surgeon” held a different opinion.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a broken leg, but rather recognizing areas where we can improve,” replied Mr. Hunt. “It’s important for us to do so and it’s a positive thing. However, we should also remember that other countries also have areas for improvement.”
According to Mr Hunt, we should not underestimate our capabilities and achievements. He mentioned that during Elon Musk’s recent visit, Musk, who may be controversial in other aspects, stated that San Francisco and London are the only two hubs for AI in the world.
We have many advantages, so if we are going to address the sprain instead of the broken leg, let’s approach it with a positive attitude.
Labour leader Keir Starmer cautioned against significant increases in spending if the party is elected into power.
In the meantime, Sir Keir Starmer stated at the Resolution Foundation conference that if Labour wins power next year, it will not be able to swiftly increase spending.
He stated that those who anticipate a Labour government to immediately increase spending will be let down, but he is unable to reveal the party’s spending proposals at this time.
Mr. Starmer emphasized that the Labour party will be unyielding in their pursuit of carefully managing every pound of spending. He acknowledged that there are many individuals who understand the struggle of having to fight for every penny.
My sibling is among them. I will suggest to her, “Let’s grab lunch at the pub.” And she will promptly respond with, “I’ll prepare some sandwiches.”
I have instructed all members of my shadow cabinet to consider the value of every pound when creating our manifesto. It is crucial that we are mindful of the people we are working to serve.
According to Sir Keir, Labour has the potential to finance £28 billion in environmentally-friendly investments if their proposed economic strategy is successful. The party’s leader stated that this would occur in the latter half of their term in parliament and emphasized that it would adhere to their fiscal regulations.
Source: independent.co.uk
