Jeremy Hunt’s Accusations Against Labour
Jeremy Hunt has accused Labour of spreading “fake news” and “scaring pensioners” over its suggestion that the government’s plans to scrap national insurance tax could jeopardize pension pots.
Hunt’s Criticism of Labour’s Economic Plans
In a speech in Westminster, the chancellor criticized Labour’s economic plans, branding them a “myth” and accusing the party of lying.
Accusations of Fake News
Hunt stated, “Calling them a myth is about as rude as I get, but frankly it is a lie. It is fake news and it is an absolute disgrace to try and win this election by scaring pensioners about a policy that is not true.”
Tories’ Actions Regarding National Insurance
Mr. Hunt highlighted that the Tories have cut national insurance, which pensioners do not pay, and have also increased the state pension.
Response to Labour’s Claims
Labour claims the commitment to scrap national insurance tax is a “£46bn unfunded tax cut,” which has been disputed by the government.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Defense
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended the government’s actions, stating that the 4p cut to National Insurance will save the average earner £900 a year.
Fact-Checking and Criticism
Posts promoting the NI cuts by Rishi Sunak have been labeled false by fact-checkers, raising questions about the actual impact of the tax cuts.
Chancellor’s Optimism About the Economy
When asked about Britain’s economic situation, the chancellor expressed optimism, stating that he believes the country has turned a corner.
Drawing Contrasts with Labour
The speech emphasized the differences between the Conservative Party and Labour, particularly in areas such as tax, jobs, and welfare reform.
Labour’s Response
A Labour spokesperson criticized the Tories’ accusations, calling them a desperate attempt to deflect from Labour’s fully costed and funded policies.
