Getting people back into work could lead to pre-election tax cut, cabinet minister says

The Work and Pensions Secretary said boosting the workforce after Covid could be an important factor in Conservative election win

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride wants to get 650,000 people back into employment (PA Archive)

Plans to slash the number of people who are economically inactive after Covid could allow Rishi Sunak the room to offer a pre-election tax cut, a cabinet minister has suggested.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride insisted the “game is not up” for the Conservatives at the next Westminster election despite receiving a drubbing at the local elections in England.

The Tories lost more than 1,000 council seats in a bruising set of results last week but Mr Stride predicted the general election – widely expected to take place next year – could pan out far better for the party, which has been in power for 13 years.