Tory MPs launch fresh push for tax cuts after Jeremy Hunt suggested they were unlikely before election

TORY MPs last night launched a fresh push for tax cuts after Jeremy Hunt suggested they were unlikely before an election.

A large caucus of backbenchers are pushing for tax giveaways to be prioritised over bumper pay rises for public sector workers.

They are growing increasingly impatient with Rishi Sunak’s reluctance to ease the burden on hard-up Brits — and say it could actually help rescue the economy.

The PM has staked his career on halving inflation — currently 8.7 per cent — by the end of the year and is struggling to make progress.

The Chancellor has further dampened hopes of pre-election reliefs by saying he would “not countenance tax cuts” if they risked stoking price rises.

But last night Tory MP Sir James Duddridge said: “Pay restraint and tax cuts are needed to stimulate the economy whilst driving inflation down.

“If it is not working, you need to make changes, only a fool would carry on as if expecting a different result.”

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “The public sector is far too bloated and spending needs to be reined in.

“Meanwhile, we have the highest tax burden in a generation and people should be allowed to keep more of their money.”

Ex-Cabinet minister Sir John Redwood added: “Public sector spending would be much more inflationary than selected tax cuts, which could even help suppress inflation.”

Slashing VAT on small businesses for example would increase supply while also allowing firms to drive down prices.”

A second former Cabinet Minister said: “Whilst the unions are not being realistic in their pay claims, targeted tax cuts are a responsible way to help in both the public and private sectors.”