Now Javid Joins Tax Cut Calls To Put More Heat On Boris

Boris Johnson came under further pressure today from his own Cabinet to cut taxes as he seeks to win over Tory rebels following this week’s damaging confidence vote on his premiership.

- David Bond

Following his 211-148 victory in Monday’s vote, the Prime Minister set out a longer-term commitment to cut taxes at a Cabinet meeting yesterday as part of a broader plan to draw a line under questions over his leadership after the partygate scandal.

This morning Health Secretary Sajid Javid joined public calls from Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss for the Prime Minister to reduce taxes to help ease the cost of living crisis as energy bills and fuel prices soar. “Look, I would like to see us do more on tax cuts,” Mr Javid told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “I am someone, just like every member of the Government and all my colleagues, who would like to see taxes as low as possible and I am pleased there have been targeted tax cuts already.”

Although Chancellor Rishi Sunak used his Spring Statement to announce plans to raise National Insurance thresholds next month — effectively a tax cut — he also raised National Insurance contributions by 1.25 per cent in April to pay for the NHS and social care, with corporate taxes also set to rise.