Rishi Sunak’s Focus on Benefits and Economic Agenda
A focus on slicing benefits will be at the heart of Rishi Sunak’s message this Spring as the bruised Prime Minister tries to shift attention away from persistent Tory party infighting and towards his economic agenda.
Rishi Sunak’s Public Appearances
Sunak is expected to make his hundredth UK public appearance this year over Easter, spending the three-week parliamentary recess doing “political” stop-offs around the country. His travels began on Friday in Derbyshire, where he launched the Conservative party’s local elections campaign.
Government’s Agenda on Benefits
Sunak is preparing to talk more about what will be a major part of the Government’s agenda this Spring: taking the axe to the benefits regime. Reducing the size of the state in this way could help the Government raise more money to fund further tax cuts before the next general election.
Plans to Reduce Benefits
Ministers have already pitch-rolled the strategy this week. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said there was a “danger” that openness about mental health had gone “too far” and resulted in the number of people claiming out-of-work benefits on emotional grounds becoming inordinately large.
Concerns and Responses
Senior Labour Party figures say they are braced for the government to attempt to use the issue of benefits as a dividing line as the next general election approaches. The mood in the party remains bleak, with many Tory MPs still concerned by Sunak’s No 10 operation.
Challenges Ahead
Sunak still faces a major challenge convincing Conservative MPs that his office is up to the job after its response to recent controversies. With the Easter break stretching out before them, Sunak will hope that his MPs return to Westminster in mid-April in a calmer state.
Conclusion
Despite challenges and controversies, Rishi Sunak remains focused on his economic agenda and benefits reform as he navigates through a turbulent political landscape.
