Autumn Statement: Energy price cap increase dampens Hunt’s ‘tax cuts’ as he denies pre-election handout – live

Chancellor insists public spending freeze in autumn statement will not result in worse public services

Autumn budget 2023: Key announcements from Jeremy Hunt's statement

Energy bills will rise again in a blow to millions, as analysts warned that the tax cuts unveiled in chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement would be “dwarfed” by other tax rises already in motion.

Experts lamented that ministers had “missed the opportunity” to announce extra support for households in desperate need this winter, as Ofgem announced its energy price cap would rise by 5 per cent in January, adding £94 to a typical gas and electricity bill.

Mr Hunt defended tax cuts that will leave public services – already buckling after years of austerity – facing what economists called an “implausible” spending squeeze.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies warned Britain was on course for drastic public-sector cuts even more “painful” than the austerity of the 2010s.

The Resolution Foundation said the national insurance cuts were “dwarfed by tax rises already under way”, set to make households an average of £1,400 poorer. The think-tank also criticised the chancellor’s public spending freeze, asking: “What's the plan here? Abolish the criminal justice system and public transport maybe?”

Key Points

• Jeremy Hunt ‘missed opportunity’ to ease energy bill increases
• Cuts even more painful than austerity era on way, say economists
• Households ‘will be £1,200 worse off' despite cuts in autumn statement
• ‘What’s the plan here?’: Hunt’s tax plans ‘risk completely implausible’ public spending cuts
• Economy to grow just 0.6% as OBR downgrades forecasts
• Recap: Taxes cut, pensions triple locked and benefits at threat in autumn statement

[22 November 2023 11:12 · Matt Mathers]

Hunt promises 110 measures for growth as he seeks to boost Tory election hopes

Jeremy Hunt will declare the economy is “back on track” as he announces plans to cut national insurance and extend a £10 billion-a-year tax break for businesses.

The chancellor said the autumn statement contains “110 different measures to help grow the British economy”.

With an eye on next year’s general election, Mr Hunt is expected to offer a national insurance cut for 28 million workers and make permanent the “full expensing” regime allowing firms to reduce their tax bills when they invest.

Full report:

[22 November 2023 11:25 · Matt Mathers]

Sunak plans new immigration crackdown on foreign worker families

Sunak plans new immigration crackdown on foreign worker families as migration figures set to hit record high.

Rishi Sunak is planning a series of new immigration crackdown measures, as he prepares for fresh Conservative party anguish over record-high migrant numbers.

With the PM under huge pressure to get on top of illegal arrivals, official figures to be published on Thursday are expected to show net migration has surged to unprecedented levels.

[22 November 2023 11:35 · Matt Mathers]

Tories need to claw back just 6 pts to deny Labour a majority - poll

The Tories could deny Labour a majority by clawing back just 6 percentage points, according to a poll.

Most surveys give the opposition a double-digit lead, with some putting Keir Starmer’s party up 20 percentage points ahead.

But if Rishi Sunak’s party can win back just six points from voters who would have otherwise stayed at home or supported one of the UK’s minor political parties, Labour would be denied a Commons majority, according to data published by research consultancy Stonehaven, first reported by Bloomberg.

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer (PA)

[22 November 2023 11:59 · Matt Mathers]

PMQs kicking off shortly

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are about to clash at PMQs.

The leader of the opposition is likely to tackle the PM on the economy ahead of the autumn statement.

Stay tuned for all the latest updates.

[22 November 2023 12:07 · Matt Mathers]

Sunak ribbed on five pledges

Starmer uses his first question to tease the prime minister over his latest five pledges.

“Let’s hope he has more success with these than the last ones”, he says.

He then asks Sunak if he forgot to include the NHS in his priorities.

[22 November 2023 12:12 · Matt Mathers]

Sunak: We’ve invested ‘record’ sums in NHS

Sunak responds by saying that his government invested “record” sums in the NHS when he came to office.

He adds that he introduced the first-ever long-term workforce plan.

Sunak now moves on to his five pledges, three of which he says are based on the economy.

He says he’s pleased to report that the government has halved inflation, grown the economy and reduced debt.

(Parliament TV)

[22 November 2023 12:15 · Matt Mathers]

Starmer: half a million more on waiting lists

Starmer hits back saying the reason Sunak left out the NHS is because 7.8 million people are currently on waiting lists.

He says that’s “half a million more” than when the PM first pledged to reduce them nearly a year ago.

The Labour leader then asks how a labourer or a carer is able to help grow the economy if they are having to wait a year for an operation on the health service.

[22 November 2023 12:20 · Matt Mathers]

Sunak: We’re doing an ‘enormous' amount on NHS waiting lists

Sunak says the government has done an “enormous amount” to tackle NHS waiting lists.

He says the government has broadened patient choice and introduced new diagnostic centres and put new doctors and nurses on wards.

PM goes on the attack over the NHS in Wales, where Labour is in charge.

He says that, after 25 years in power, the NHS there is missing “every one one of his targets”.

[22 November 2023 12:22 · Matt Mathers]

‘He really needs to take some responsibility'

Starmer fires back, saying more than double the entire population of Wales is on a waiting list in England.

“He really needs to take some responsibility”, he adds.

The Labour leader then asks Sunak how many people are on mental health waiting lists.

[22 November 2023 12:29 · Matt Mathers]

Sunak attacks NHS in Wales

Sunak dodges the question, saying record sums have been invested in mental health services.

The PM then says the “union action he fails to condemn” has had an effect on the health services - several hundred thousand appointments being cancelled.

He adds that in Wales, over 70,000 people are waiting over 18 months for treatment.

Sunak says these sorts of waits have been eliminated in England.