JACOB Rees-Mogg has urged the Chancellor to ditch planned rises to National Insurance contributions, it has been reported.
The Daily Telegraph said the Commons leader told Rishi Sunak at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting that the increase must be scrapped to stem the rising cost of living crisis engulfing the UK Government.
The Prime Minister faced questions from all parties – including his own – over the issue in the Commons.
And Rees-Mogg is reported to have said the policy, which was only announced in September to cover an overhaul of England's social care system and to see the NHS through the pandemic, should be ditched.
READ MORE: PMQs: Tory MPs shout and heckle as Ian Blackford raises cost of living crisis fears
Earlier, Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner told MPs: “The Prime Minister and his Chancellor have presided over economic mismanagement, low growth and neglect of our public services.
“And their resolution to fix this? Whacking more taxes on working people.
“Combine the tax rise with soaring energy prices and the average family faces a hit of £1200 – this is an iceberg right ahead, so will he finally stop and change course … or will he plough on to what will be a disaster for thousands of families?”
Boris Johnson insisted the Government had taken steps to help people and also “keep this country open, keep our economy moving”.
He said: “We will continue to look after people throughout the pandemic.”
But Rayner countered: “Prices for everyday goods are soaring out of control, hard-earned savings will be hit and the wages of working people won’t go as far.”
Rayner said “serious solutions” were needed to stop people “falling into poverty or debt” as a result of inflation.
The head of the Resolution Foundation think tank said last month that families would face a £1200 hit by April “from soaring energy bills and tax rises”.
READ MORE: Lindsay Hoyle tells Ian Blackford to 'calm it' after clash with Boris Johnson
The organisation’s chief executive Torsten Bell said: “So large is this overnight cost-of-living catastrophe that it’s hard to see how the Government avoids stepping in.”
But Downing Street suggested on Wednesday that there are not any imminent plans to help keep energy prices down for customers.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I’m not aware of any further changes at the moment, but obviously we keep it under review, we are listening to those most affected.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel