Robert Jenrick blasted Liz Truss’ mini budget as he pledged to returning the Tories to ‘sound money’.
Robert Jenrick took aim at Liz Truss as he set out his economic policies (Image: Getty)
Robert Jenrick has suggested Britain could afford a big 2p cut to the basic rate of income tax with a concerted push to get more shirkers off welfare and into work.
Setting out his economic vision this morning should he win the Tory leadership election, Mr Jenrick said the Conservatives have to regain credibility after the failure of Liz Truss’ mini budget.
In an attack on the short-lived premier, Mr Jenrick said the mini-budget had “abandoned fiscal responsibility”, which spooked the market and “working people suffered”.
He described it as a “damaging episode”, pledging that under his leadership “we will return to being the party of sound money”.
Mr Jenrick described his vision for a “smaller, smarter state”, which does less better.
Mr Jenrick hit out at Liz Truss (Image: Getty)
He called for a major cut to quangos, and to the number of civil servants by 100,000, taking Whitehall back to pre-Brexit levels.
However this would be matched by a rise in salaries for remaining civil servants, to make pay levels more competitive and attract brighter talent.
Among other policies he outlined a major increase in nuclear power, copying South Korea’s record of quick-building, reform the planning system to see a major rise in inner-city housing, and upgrades to the Government’s outdated IT systems.
The most eye-catching policy came as he called for a slashing of the level of those out of work by 500,000 – back to levels seen just five years ago.
The leadership hopeful said that succeeding in this would free up £12 billion from the benefits bill, which could then be spent on cutting the basic rate of income tax by 2p.
Kemi Badenoch said picking the wrong leader will kill the party (Image: Getty)
His speech came as ballots began landing through the letterboxes of Conservative Party members, with a majority of those entitled to a vote expected to pick their choice in the coming days rather than waiting until the official deadline at the end of the month.
Mr Jenrick’s rival, Kemi Badenoch, warned today that the party will cease to exist if they make the wrong choice for leader.
The frontrunner said: “We have one chance to get this right”.
She warned the question is “existential” for the Tory Party, and that there can be “no second chance” in 18 months if MPs realise they made the wrong choice.
Ms Badenoch rejected claims she is running scared of television debates, despite so far refusing to take part in any.
She described the accusation as “hilarious”, arguing she is simultaneously accused of crossing the street to start a fight, adding: “They can’t both be true”.
The winner will be announced on November 2.
