In a recent press conference, Chancellor Rishi Sunak made a bold claim that the government’s plan to increase defence spending will not impact its ability to continue cutting taxes. When questioned about the funding of the defence spending plan, Sunak defended the decision, stating that the government will reduce the size of the civil service to make it possible. He emphasized the importance of Britain standing up for its values and mentioned that the announcement is consistent with the government’s ability to keep cutting taxes.
Sunak further clarified that the plan is fully funded, with savings coming from a reduction in civil service headcount back to 2019 levels. He highlighted the significant rise in civil service numbers since then, which he deemed unsustainable. The Chancellor assured that the government’s economic plan is working, allowing for the strengthening of national defence without compromising on tax cuts.
However, critics have raised concerns about the impact of these cuts on government services and the potential delay in implementing promised policies, such as the ban on no-fault evictions. The debate surrounding the defence spending plan and civil service cuts continues to unfold, with both supporters and detractors voicing their opinions on the matter.