Rishi Sunak insists all the pieces is okay regardless of warning UK might go into recession

On Feb 12, 2024

Rishi Sunak has insisted all the pieces is okay regardless of warnings the UK may very well be plunged into recession later this week.

The PM faces a tough few days amid issues inflation may go up on Wednesday, earlier than gloomy financial progress figures are introduced on Thursday. These may affirm that the UK entered a recession on the finish of final 12 months.

But Mr Sunak yesterday claimed the financial system “has turned a corner” regardless of the prospect of a technical recession. Speaking to reporters in Harrogate, the PM acknowledged that current years had been “undoubtedly difficult”, however added: “At the start of this year I really believe the economy has turned a corner and we are heading in the right direction. You can see inflation has come down from 11% to 4%, mortgage rates are starting to come down, wages have been rising consistently now.”

Mr Sunak added that the lower in nationwide insurance coverage initially of the 12 months “shows that the plan is working”, however declined to say whether or not coming into a technical recession would have an effect on the potential of additional tax cuts within the Budget subsequent month.

The PM has promised to develop the financial system, but when Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) figures present gross home product went down within the final three months of final 12 months, it means the UK as a substitute went into recession. This occurs after two consecutive quarters of unfavorable progress are recorded.

This morning Security Minister Tom Tugendhat mentioned it’s “no great secret” that the Government goes by means of a “really challenging time”. Quizzed concerning the prospect of a recession he advised ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “The reality is this is a really challenging time for the Government. There’s no great secret in that. But what is also true is that there’s an awful lot that we’ve got to do to make sure we’re looking after the British people.

“The complete level about authorities is to take tough selections and to verify we’re delivering, and that is why the priorities the Prime Minister set out, together with bringing down inflation and supporting progress, are so vital.”

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott told the Sunday Times: “There can be bumps within the street and on Wednesday we will anticipate inflation to barely improve when knowledge for January is printed.”