Hunt Hints At Mini Budget Before An October Election

JEREMY Hunt has hinted the Tories will hold a mini budget before calling an October general election.

- Sam Lister and Martyn Brown

The Chancellor spoke after a torrid week of plotting against Rishi Sunak by rebels who fear he will lead them to a ballot-box drubbing.

Mr Hunt suggested the Prime Minister will announce the vote after Parliament's summer break rather than delay it as long as possible.

He gave the hint after telling peers that detailed departmental spending plans must be finished before April next year. "If the general election is in October that will mean it's very very tight," he added.

Duty

He then said if there is a budget or autumn statement before the election he would like to freeze fuel duty again. "I hope there is another fiscal event this parliament," he added.

Mr Sunak, meanwhile, announced plans to host European leaders at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire this summer for talks on Ukraine support and tackling illegal migration.

The European Political Community summit will be on July 18, just days before MPs head off from parliament for their six-week summer break.

A spring date had been expected but Mr Sunak reportedly delayed confirming when the event would take place because he wanted to hold the door open for a snap May election something he then ruled out last week.

Yesterday he said: "I am delighted the UK will host the next European Political Community meeting at the historic Blenheim Palace.

"It is an important forum for cooperation across the whole of Europe on the issues that are affecting us all, threatening our security and prosperity.