Chancellor Rachel Reeves has hit back at Robert Jenrick after he criticised the government for having a "ballooning" welfare bill. Taking aim at the Labour Party in the Commons, Mr Jenrick, a Reform UK MP, said: "Isn't the best solution to build a strong, abundant economy by doing the hard yards of supply side reforms, where there are better jobs and higher wages, where people are richer and the state has less bearing on their lives?"
"And yet under the Chancellor the benefits bill is ballooning, unemployment is rising, particularly amongst the young, and taxes are at their highest ever level," he added. Directing his attention to the Chancellor, he said: "So, in the spirit of giving people some relief today, will the Chancellor confirm that, assuming she intends to stay in office for the rest of this Parliament, she won't be increasing taxes on working people at all for the rest of this Parliament."
In response, Ms Reeves said: "I will take absolutely no lessons from the man who was part of a party that took our economy to its knees. For a party that has opposed all of the reforms that we have made to make it easier to get things built in Britain, to increase the wages of working people with a national living wage and the national minimum wage, to increase the rights of working people, including statutory sick pay on day one and ending the abusive zero hour contracts. So if we want a lesson on economics, I certainly won't be taking it from the Reform party."
Great British Summer Savings Scheme
The back-and-forth came soon after the Chancellor's announcement of the "Great British Summer Savings" scheme. This initiative will see Brits save money on tickets such as at zoos and museums over the course of the summer. Ms Reeves announced: "I am launching the Great British Summer Savings Scheme to help families and support our hospitality sector, so I can today announce a temporary cut in the rate of VAT on summer attractions from 20 per cent to five per cent over the summer holidays."
"This will apply to ticket prices for both adults and children, covering attractions such as fairs, theme parks, zoos, and museums. It will include children's tickets for cinemas, concerts, soft play, and the theatre, and it will cut the cost of children's meals in restaurants and cafes from VAT to five per cent as well." The Office for Budget Responsibility will deliver a final costing on the measures during the next budget.
