A TORY clamour for tax cuts grew last night following better-than-expected economic results.
Government borrowing rose by £18.5billion last month, less than the £21.2billion predicted by official forecasters.
Jeremy Hunt said: ‘Now more than ever we need to maintain discipline with the public finances’
And the Treasury clawed in £4.5billion more in tax than expected, collecting a total of £57.3billion for June.
Former Cabinet minister Sir John Redwood last night seized on the data to demand Chancellor Jeremy Hunt eases the record burden.
He said: “Tax cuts would boost the economy and could even be deflationary if applied selectively.”
The Tory MP also hit out at the Office for Budget Responsibilities’ “gloomy” projections.
He said: “Once again the OBR gets one of its forecasts wrong.
“The Treasury needs to be wary about taking them as read.”
Fellow Tory MP James Duddridge added: “Without cuts in tax we are doomed.
“What are we waiting for. Save the country and the party.”
Rishi Sunak has been resisting calls for tax cuts, insisting it risks derailing his flagship pledge to slash inflation.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said last night: “Now more than ever we need to maintain discipline with the public finances.
“We are at a crucial juncture and need to avoid reckless spending.”
