Zahawi’s hint came amid reports that Sunak would reconsider a further council tax cut in the autumn, after the chancellor was widely criticized for a statement that seemed to ease easing pressures on rising energy prices and inflation. Sunak announced an increase in the national insurance payment limit, as well as a reduction in the fuel tax by 5 percentage points, but no additional increase in benefits. The Resolution Foundation predicts that half a million children could be driven below the poverty line next year. Zahawi told Sky’s Sophy Ridge that further assistance was likely, amid reported tensions between Sunak and Boris Johnson over the reception for the statement. “I think he will continue to watch this, it’s right,” he said. It’s irresponsible for me to say ‘work done’ because energy prices are volatile, inflation remains high, so it would be completely irresponsible to say ‘work done’. “But I think 22 22 billion a year in aid when you just spent 400 400 billion is the right thing to do.” The Sunday Times reported that the chancellor is considering proposals for a new city council tax cut in the autumn, with consumers facing the possibility of a further increase in the fuel bill in October. On Friday, the energy ceiling will rise by almost £ 700 to 97 1,971 – but could rise to just under 000 3,000 by October 2022 for the average dual fuel bill. The shadow affairs and pensions minister said Sunak was “playing games” by announcing a future income tax cut of 1 pp in the statement, as people struggled this year. “Rishi Sunak had absolutely more room for maneuver in this spring statement and the mini-budget, but instead of acting in the best interests of the British people, he was playing games,” said Jon Ashworth. “He acted in his own interest because he believes that by offering an income tax cut in two years that will help him politically with the Conservative MPs, if there is a leadership contest or that fits the Tory electoral grid.” Labor has called on the chancellor to reduce VAT on energy bills and impose an unexpected tax on the profits of oil and gas companies, as well as to cancel the planned increase in national insurance from April. “He imposed these very punitive tax increases, these very serious cuts in real terms on pensions and support, like universal credit, and he expects people to be grateful because two years later he says there will be an income tax cut, even though “Now that the income tax cut does not offset the 15 tax increases it has imposed on the British people, an extra 3,000 per household, if you do a rough calculation,” he told Sky. “He is a chancellor who raises taxes, he is the main tax and the British are the ones who pay the price.”
