Rate cuts on way to help Londoners, says Sunak and Tories will take axe to red tape

INTEREST rate cuts are "on their way," Rishi Sunak said today as he laid out his London plan to ease the housing crisis, revive the hospitality sector and get more civil servants back into Whitehall.

- Nicholas Cecil

As the clock ticks towards the July 4 polling day, the Prime Minister set out his stall on why Londoners should vote Conservative rather than back Labour, switch to Reform, or support the Liberal Democrats or Greens. In an interview with the Standard, the Prime Minister:

Raised hopes that mortgage rates could soon start to fall, after inflation hit the Bank of England's two per cent target last week, which would ease financial pressure on many households.

Vowed to take the axe to "burdens, regulations and red tape strangling restaurants, bars, pubs and theatres particularly in London, as they try to survive with the cost-of-living crisis that is still biting.

Stressed that civil servants needed to be back in Whitehall to "deliver" for Britain, highlighting also the benefits particularly for younger staff.

Showed no sign of seeking to ease the confrontational stand-off between the Government and Mayor Sadiq Khan on housing and crime.

Stuck to his line on the election date betting scandal engulfing the Tories, saying anyone in the party who put on illegal wagers would be "booted out" and should face the "full consequences of the law".