Hunt Cracks Down on Benefits and Promises Wage Boost
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has doubled down on tough benefit sanctions while vowing to lift the national living wage above £11 an hour. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Hunt unveiled a hard-hitting plan to cut government costs and help hardworking Brits earn more.
Benefit Sanctions Get Tougher, But Living Wage Rises
Hunt slammed those “choosing benefits over work,” promising to overhaul the 1 Capability Assessment and revamp the sanctions regime. He stressed fairness, saying:
“We must differentiate between those genuinely seeking jobs and those refusing to engage.”
Alongside the crackdown, nearly two million workers will see their pay increase as the national living wage rises from £10.42 to at least £11 an hour. Hunt insisted, “A Conservative government backs those who work hard.”
Civil Service Freeze to Save £1 Billion
To tighten the purse strings, Hunt declared a freeze on Civil Service growth, aiming to reduce staff numbers back to pre-pandemic levels. This move is set to save a cool £1 billion next year. Despite backing modern tech and smarter working practices, he demanded changes to the Treasury’s outdated systems.
Fiscal Responsibility at the Forefront
As the UK battles the fallout from Covid and soaring energy costs, Hunt warned rising public spending is outpacing growth. He called for a smaller, more efficient state, saying:
“We need a more productive government, not just a bigger one.”
The Chancellor’s message? Firm control on benefits, fair wages for workers, and ruthless cost-cutting in government.
