Liz Truss refuses to say whether autumn benefits rise will go ahead
Liz Truss has refused to comment on whether benefits claimants might see a real terms cut as a cost-saving measure this autumn.
The Prime Minister said an announcement would be made ‘in due course’ when questioned by reporters today.
It comes after reports the Treasury asked departments across Government to make efficiency savings, or cuts, to their existing budgets following the economic turmoil caused by the mini-budget.
The move is aimed at reducing future Government borrowing after markets were spooked by the fiscal statement from Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng last Friday.
Asked by broadcasters about whether the uprating would take place, Ms Truss said: ‘The biggest part of the package that we announced was the support for families on energy as well as making sure that we reversed the national insurance rise.
‘In terms of benefits uprating, that is something the Work and Pensions Secretary is looking at and she will make an announcement in due course as is the normal practice, for the autumn.’
Pressed for more information, the Prime Minister added: ‘As I said this is something the Work and Pensions Secretary is looking at.
‘What is important to me is that we are fair in the decisions we make, but most importantly that we help families and businesses at this very difficult time with their energy prices.
‘I had real fears that businesses could go out of business this winter because they were facing unaffordable energy bills.
‘We put in place a business scheme, we put in place support for households across the country. That has cost us money but it was important we acted quickly.’
The Tory leader was questioned on a variety of topics by broadcasters during her visit to Kent.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Kent had come after she faced a barrage of questions on regional radio stations in a series of interviews this week.
Again, the Tory leader had remained tight-lipped when pressed on exact details of economic plans.
‘What on earth where you thinking?’ one listener has asked.
Ms Truss was also branded a ‘reverse Robin Hood’ and told she was ‘robbing from the poor and giving to the rich’.
After the mini-budget was unveiled on Friday, the pound suddenly plunged and the Chancellor was urged to ‘re-evaluate’ tax measures.
The Bank of England also revealed it would buy £65 billion of government bonds – on a temporary basis – to help ‘restore orderly market conditions’.
Earlier this week, media reports suggested the Treasury would write to Cabinet ministers asking them to make savings within their existing departmental budgets.
When quizzed about the cuts, Treasury minister Chris Philp said: ‘We are going to look for efficiencies wherever we can find them.’
He added the objective of the exercise would be to make sure the Government stays within its existing three-year spending limits.
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