BORIS Johnson will cut sky-high taxes on hard up Brits “in due course”, a top Cabinet minister declared today.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said No 10 must slash levies “whenever we can” as families face a cost of living crisis.
His remarks will heap yet more pressure on the PM to swiftly ease the burden on struggling workers.
The Cabinet big beast has added his voice to a growing band of senior Tories who have told the PM to cut taxes.
He said today: “There are choices that do need to be made. But, ultimately, we’ve made those choices.
“We’ve committed to the public spending required in order to generate economic growth.
“And as we will in due course get that economic growth, we will also in due course cut taxes.”
And he was coy on the growing clamour for Boris to scrap VAT on energy bills to help struggling families.
So far the PM has resisted calls to do so, despite once hailing such a move as a key benefit of Brexit.
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Mr Gove said for now help will be “targeted at those who need it the most” rather than lifting the burden on everyone.
But he added: “We should always seek to cut taxes whenever we can. In my view, the more we can cut taxes the better.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak wants to see levies slashed to help turbocharge economic growth out of the pandemic.
He has been backed in his internal struggle with No 10 by Lord Frost, who is popular amongst backbench Tory MPs.
The former Brexit negotiator quit last month saying he disagreed with the Government’s approach to Covid and taxation.
Yesterday he warned Boris must change tack quickly if he wants to win the next election in 2024.
He told the Mail on Sunday: “We need to get the country going economically again and that means free markets, free debate and low taxes.
“People need to look at this country and think, yes, something is changing here. You’ve got to set the direction of travel.”
Cost of living crisis
And today Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, a rising star in the party, said the PM must prioritise “smart government” over “big spending”.
Millions of Brits are facing a cost of living crisis sparked by rising inflation and energy bills.
Household gas and electricity bills are set to rise by over £600 a year in April when the energy price cap is updated.
Hard up families will also have to fork out up to £13.50 a week from April when the 1.25% National Insurance hike comes into force.
It will see the tax burden on ordinary Brits rise to its highest level in 70 years.
No 10 has defended the levy, insisting the £12bn it raises will help clear the NHS backlog caused by Covid and fix the social care system.
