With his term extending for another four years, Kharge is reportedly disinclined to contest from Kalaburagi….reports Asian Lite News
Radhakrishna Doddamani, the son-in-law of Mallikarjun Kharge, is emerging as the primary contender for the Congress ticket in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, particularly in the party President’s stronghold.
Despite Mallikarjun Kharge’s previous successful bids in the Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) Lok Sabha constituency, his focus now revolves around his national party duties and obligations as the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
With his term extending for another four years, Kharge is reportedly disinclined to contest from Kalaburagi.
Similarly, his son, Priyank Kharge, who serves as a Minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet and represents the Chittapur assembly constituency in the Gulbarga segment, has also shown no interest in entering the electoral fray.
This leaves Doddamani, a businessman with interests in education, at the forefront of candidacy discussions within the party.
The final decision regarding contesting the polls rests with the Congress President, who will consult with senior leaders like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi before reaching a conclusion.
Two former Chief Ministers, Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar, both from the influential Lingayat community, are being considered as potential candidates….reports Asian Lite News
In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, the BJP is strategically positioning itself for significant victories. Two former Chief Ministers, Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar, both from the influential Lingayat community, are being considered as potential candidates, crucial to the party’s core vote-base.
B.S. Yediyurappa, a veteran leader, hinted at these developments, mentioning discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP’s national president J.P. Nadda regarding candidates for all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state. However, final decisions remain pending.
There’s speculation that Bommai, currently an MLA from Shiggaon, may contest from Haveri, while Shettar could vie for Belgaum (Belagavi). Their Lingayat background aligns with BJP’s voter base, pivotal for electoral success.
Shettar’s return to BJP in January after a brief stint with Congress underscores the party’s strategic realignment. Both candidates hold promise in retaining key seats for the party.
The alliance with JD(S) adds another layer to the electoral calculus. Yediyurappa suggested that BJP might allocate two to three seats to JD(S), a decision ultimately resting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
JD(S) is eyeing key constituencies like Mandya, Hassan, and Kolar. The possibility of JD(S) candidates contesting on BJP symbols adds further intrigue to the dynamics.
The BJP’s aim is to replicate or exceed its 2019 performance, where it secured 25 out of 28 seats, bolstering its dominance in the region. However, the political landscape has shifted since then, with Congress emerging victorious in recent Assembly elections, signaling a renewed challenge.
For JD(S), joining the BJP-led NDA marked a strategic move, showcasing its continued relevance, especially in South Karnataka.
As the electoral landscape evolves, the BJP’s focus remains on consolidating its stronghold while navigating shifting alliances and voter sentiments, setting the stage for a fiercely contested Lok Sabha battle in Karnataka.
Congress hints at fielding ministers
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress state President D.K. Shivakumar said that a meeting of the party’s Election Committee is slated for Thursday evening and discussions on 50 per cent of candidates for Lok Sabha constituencies from the state would be held.
Jagadish Shettar
Speaking to reporters here, Shivakumar stated that it is not possible to release the names of candidates of all 28 Lok Sabha seats in one list.
“We will announce the list in two phases,” he said.
Asked about fielding cabinet ministers and those who joined the party recently, Shivakumar said that in politics, all is possible.
To a question whether the Congress will announce the list once the BJP list is out, he asserted that there is a difference in the politics carried out by the BJP and the Congress.
“In our Congress, there is no emphasis on the individual. We carry out politics on our guarantees and the party. If they (the BJP) play with their calculations, we will have our own calculations,” he said.
Asked why Congress could not select the candidates much earlier, Shivakumar maintained that the discussion in this regard was held only a month ago and subtle communication has been made to the probables.
Asked about whether the notices to him stopped after the apex court quashed the ED case against him, Shivakumar stated the notices are still issued to him. “The media has worked day and night following leads on me. I know my pains. The people of the state had launched a struggle for me. They are happy now, that is enough for me,” he said.
The CM also targeted the BJP-led central government over the issue of Manipur violence, saying the Centre sent over 400 teams to Bengal….reports Asian Lite News
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that her government will not allow the implementation of CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) or NRC (National Register of Citizens) in the state.
The CM also targeted the BJP-led central government over the issue of Manipur violence, saying the Centre sent over 400 teams to Bengal. “How many teams did you send to Manipur, where our sisters were burned?” she asserted.
CM Banerjee, while addressing the TMC Mahila Wing Rally in Kolkata, said, “We will not allow CAA, nor NRC, nor the politics of dividing Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, nor the false politics of dividing the Matua community, nor the false politics of dividing Hindus and Muslims. We do not accept this. They sent over 400 teams to Bengal. How many teams did you send to Manipur, where our sisters were burned?”
Earlier in February, the West Bengal Chief Minister said that the government will not implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) initiative and will provide separate cards to those whose Aadhaar card is deactivated.
“Those who are playing with the Aadhaar cards and trying to deprive people of their rights, people will throw them out of power. We will issue a separate card that will help to protect the citizen’s rights. We have prepared a portal named ‘Aadhaar Grievance Portal of West Bengal Government’. Those whose Aadhaar card has been deactivated should inform us as soon as possible so that they continue to enjoy their democratic, social and economic rights,” CM said.
The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
Following the passage of the CAA by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent presidential assent, significant protests erupted in various parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while speaking at the Republic TV Summit 2024 on Thursday, reiterated that the Citizenship Amendment Act will be implemented before the Lok Sabha elections.
The Union Home Minister said, “This will be implemented before the elections…this is the law of the country, no one can stop it, this is set in stone, this is the reality.”
Shah also batted for the Uniform Civil Code, saying that this is not only the agenda of the BJP, but also the vision of the constitutional assembly and is included in Article 44 of the constitution.
“Unfortunately, UCC has been associated with religion. Today I want to tell the people of the country that UCC is not just the agenda of BJP, but since 1950 we have been saying that when we come to power, we will bring UCC to this country. Since 1950, ‘Uniform Civil Code’ has been a part of our manifesto. If you expect the State to be secular, then the laws of the State must also be secular. Personal laws based on religious domination can never give us a secular State,” Home Minister Amit Shah said. (ANI)
All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and 30 other ethnic organizations hit the streets of Assam to protest against CAA….reports Asian Lite News
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Assam, All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and 30 other ethnic organizations on Thursday hit the streets of Assam to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
The members of AASU earlier in the day took out a bike rally in Guwahati to protest against CAA. The protesters raised slogans against the CAA and demanded the centre to scrap it.
The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
Following the passage of the CAA by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent presidential assent, significant protests erupted in various parts of the country.
Samujjal Bhattacharya, Chief Advisor of AASU said that All Assam Students’ Union and 30 other ethnic organizations have decided to launch a movement against the CAA and the conspiracy by the Government of India to impose rules under the act.
“Today, the bike rally was held throughout the state in all district headquarters. There will be a series of movements against the CAA in the state. We would like to warn the central government that, the people of Assam and North East won’t accept the CAA because Assam and North East are not the dumping ground of illegal Bangladeshis,” Samujjal Bhattacharya said.
“After the historic Assam Movement Assam Accord was signed, the foreigners’ problem must be solved by implementing all clauses of the Assam Accord. It will be a peaceful, non-violent movement and along with this the legal fight is on,” he said.
PM Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to Assam commencing on Friday where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects.
PM Modi will arrive in Kaziranga on Friday evening, and he will stay overnight in the national park, a UNESCO Heritage Site renowned for its one-horned rhinos.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while addressing a press conference on Thursday said that the PM will arrive in the state on Friday evening and is scheduled to spend at least two hours in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.
“On Friday, at 4 pm PM Modi will arrive at Tezpur airport and will directly go to Kaziranga. On March 9, at around 5:30 am, he will visit Kaziranga National Park and will spend 2 hours. He will go to Arunachal Pradesh from Kaziranga. After attending two programs in Arunachal Pradesh he will again visit Jorhat at around 1:30 pm…” the Assam CM said.
PM Modi will inaugurate the Tinsukia Medical College and lay the foundation stone of Sivasagar Medical College under the PM-DIVINE scheme on Saturday.
“PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for the expansion of Digboi Refinery from 0.65 Million MT to 1 Million MT with a cost of Rs 768 crores. PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the expansion of Guwahati Refinery from 1 million MT to 1.2 million MT with a cost of Rs 510 crore. PM Modi will inaugurate the project with a cost of Rs 3,992 crores project of pipeline from Barauni to Guwahati…” Assam CM added.
PM Modi will also address a rally at Meleng Meteli and inaugurate several projects of both centre and state governments.
In addition, PM Modi would perform the ‘Griha Pravesh’ (house-warming) ceremony for the 5.5 lakh houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), lay the foundation stone of Sivasagar Medical College, and address a public gathering at Meleng Meteli Pothar in Jorhat.
On March 9, he will take a Jeep Safari or elephant ride inside the national park.
In view of PM Modi’s visit to Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam, the jeep safari and elephant ride will remain closed in the Kaziranga range of Kohora from March 7 to 9. (ANI)
Pawar slammed the BJP for giving full-page advertisements on ‘Modi ki Guarantee’ in the newspapers…reports Asian Lite News
Launching a scathing attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NCP SCP Chief Sharad Pawar termed the Bharatiya Janata Party a “Washing machine” and said it is inducting the leaders with corruption charges from opposite parties and getting them “cleaned”.
Addressing a party convention in Lonavala of Pune district on Thursday, Pawar criticized PM Modi for his continuous criticism of the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
“BJP, on the one hand, talks highly about Mahatma Gandhi, but on the other hand, denigrates Jawaharlal Nehru, lot of freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives went to jail and accepted the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru, but PM Modi criticizes Nehru and his policy,” Pawar said.
He further slammed the BJP for giving full-page advertisements on ‘Modi ki Guarantee’ in the newspapers.
“At whose expense the advertisements are given. It is at the expense of the common citizen of India. In these advertisements, Modi talked about doubling or increasing farmer’s income but in the last ten years, the number of suicide farmers has increased,” he said.
Criticizing the BJP for taking Ashok Chavan on its side after making allegations against him for years, “Modi is talking about corruption. A few days ago, a booklet was distributed in the Parliament in which there was a reference to the Aadarsh Scam, and in the next few days, Ashok Chavan, who had faced allegedly cases in the said scam, joined the BJP and made Rajya Sabha MP.”
Reacting to the claims made by Prime Minister Modi last year that the NCP has committed corruption worth Rs 70,000 crore, Pawar said that now the BJP is sitting cold on such allegations.
“During the Bhopal rally, Modi said NCP has a corrupt leader and talked about an irrigation scam worth Rs 70,000 crores. Then I categorically denied allegations of involvement of NCP leaders and dared that they should initiate the inquiry by appointing a judge from the Supreme Court, but now they are not saying anything,” he said.
Pawar further mentioned that the BJP has gone silent on their allegations since nephew Ajit Pawar went to their side.
“Against whom the allegations were made, you can see where they are now?” he said, adding that “therefore, the BJP is like a washing machine, where clothes get directly cleaned and the same way leaders who are facing corruption charges from opposite parties are being inducted and getting cleaned.”
Earlier on February 21, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitated and congratulated the BJP’s newly elected Rajya Sabha members, including Congress turncoat Ashok Chavan.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Mumbai on February 13.
The 65-year-old was welcomed at the BJP office in south Mumbai, attended by key leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP State President Chandrashekhar Bawankule. (ANI)
Dy CM Fadnavis said whenever it comes to ticket distribution for the Lok Sabha, it is based on the ground reality only….reports Asian Lite News
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday asserted that everything is going well between the Mahayuti Alliance in the state and discussion is still underway on two or three seats that will be resolved soon.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai yesterday, Fadnavis said whenever it comes to ticket distribution for the Lok Sabha, it is based on the ground reality only.
“Everything is going well between the three parties of our alliance. Discussion is still going on two or three seats on which there was a deadlock but that too will be resolved soon. There is no dispute of any kind between us. There should not be any speculation about the seats before the announcement because it seems incorrect. Whatever decision will be taken will come before you in a day or two,” he said.
The Mahayuti Alliance include the Bharatiya Janata Party, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party-Ajit Pawar faction.
“Whenever it comes to ticket distribution for Lok Sabha, any party or any leader can make any demand, but when the decision on ticket distribution is taken, it will be based on the ground reality only,” he added.
Further, responding to Sharad Pawar accusing NCP Ajit Pawar faction MLA Sunil Shelke of threatening the workers of his faction, Fadnavis said that it does not suit a senior leader like Sharad Pawar to threaten any MLA.
“Sharad Pawar ji is a very senior leader, whatever his age is, it does not suit a leader of his age to threaten an MLA in this manner. I am not old enough to give any advice to Sharad Pawar but still, I would like to say that threatening any MLA or leader in this manner does not suit him,” he said.
The Maharashtra Deputy CM also mentioned that the central government has appreciated the solar model of Maharashtra.
“We will transform the electricity provided to farmers to solar in three years. This will save pollution, save money and we will be able to rationalize the burden that used to fall on the industry,” he said.
“Today, Maharashtra has taken a very important decision. We have given a letter of award for the transition of 50% or 9000 MW supplied to the farmers to solar power… This is a record. This has happened nowhere in the country. The central government has appreciated this model… In three years, we will transform all power supplied to farmers, to solar…,” he added. (ANI)
S. Jaishankar underlined the importance of a reformist, visionary leadership backed by a strong political mandate…reports Asian Lite News
Exuding confidence that India will have a stable government for 15 years, even longer, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Friday that long-term political stability is essential for good governance.
His remarks at the Nikkei Forum on India-Japan Special Strategic Partnership in Tokyo came as India heads for crucial general elections with nearly 960 million voters gearing up to exercise their right to vote in the coming months.
“Hundred per cent we will have 15 years of stable government; we may have even longer,” Jaishankar said in response to a question at the forum.
The minister underlined the importance of a reformist, visionary leadership backed by a strong political mandate, which in a democracy means having a majority in Parliament, and results in “long-term stability”.
“You can have a majority but you do not have a vision, or you have a vision, but you do not have the political support. So you need both. Now what has happened in our cases, certainly for the last 10 years, we have had it and we hope to continue that,” S. Jaishankar said as he praised his government that has been able “to take good decisions — tough decisions but needed decisions”.
Further reinforcing the importance of political stability for economic growth and investments, the top diplomat said: “Business world today values political stability. For them, political stability means policy stability. Anybody who is coming, you know, somebody who is taking a big bet on India wants to know what will India be in the next 10 years.”
“Fortunately, that has been good for us for the last decade, and I am very confident for the next one,” the minister added.
When asked about India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the minister took a sly dig at world powers, saying they “cherry-pick one issue, one situation, one principle and they highlight it because it suits them”.
“…even today, parts of India are occupied by another country. But we did not see the world respond saying, oh, there is a great principle involved. And therefore, let us all go with India. So yes, today we are being told that there are principles involved. I wish I had seen that principle in play for the last 80 years. I have seen those principles cherry-pick…” S. Jaishankar remarked.
Before taking on questions at the forum, the minister reiterated that India and Japan today are convergent on the big picture and the key concerns with an improvement in their “inclination and ability” to respond in a more coordinated manner.
He added that the bilateral partnership has identified more avenues for increased cooperation and will draw strength from their larger activities together, especially in the Quad.
Calling all Quad nations — India, Australia, Japan, and the US — strong maritime powers, the diplomat said that the grouping is meeting “more rapidly and more issues are getting added on”.
EAM Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Japan from March 6-8 to impart further momentum to bilateral exchanges and set the agenda for future cooperation.
On Thursday, he addressed the 16th India-Japan Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue with his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa and participated in the first Raisina Roundtable, a key step towards enhancing track two exchanges between India and Japan.
Musk’s post came two days after he reportedly met former US President Donald Trump in Florida….reports Asian Lite News
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced on Wednesday that he has no plans to donate money to either candidate for US President.
In a post on X, Musk wrote, “Just to be super clear, I am not donating money to either candidate for US President.”
Notably, Musk’s post came two days after he reportedly met former US President Donald Trump in Florida.
According to New York Times, the billionaire and a few wealthy Republican donors met with Donald Trump on Sunday in Palm Beach, Florida, to discuss a private matter, according to three people briefed on the meeting who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, Trump’s aides have not responded to Musk’s social media remarks.
In the past, Musk has contributed to both Republicans and Democrats, much like many other business titans.
He has not heavily invested in a presidential campaign, in contrast to other American billionaires, and over the years, he has divided his contributions roughly equally between Republicans and Democrats, according to New York Times.
In a recent development regarding the US Presidential race, Republican candidate, Nikki Haley formally announced on Wednesday to end her presidential candidate campaign.
“The time has now come to suspend my campaign. I said I wanted Americans to have their voices heard. I have done that. I have no regrets,” she said Wednesday in South Carolina.
“Although I will no longer be a candidate, I will not stop using my voice for the things I believe in,” she said while speaking from Charleston, South Carolina. Nikki Haley congratulated former President Donald Trump during her announcement ending her presidential campaign but didn’t endorse him.
“In all likelihood, Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee when our party convention meets in July. I congratulate him and wish him well. I wish anyone well who would be America’s president. Our country is too precious to let our differences divide us,” Haley said.
Haley added, “It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him. And I hope he does that.”
According to the report, Haley had emerged as former President Donald Trump’s sole rival in the Republican presidential primary campaign, and while he rolled to victory in 14 of the 15 GOP contests on Super Tuesday, she foiled a possible clean sweep by winning in Vermont.
Across the Republican primaries on Super Tuesday, Haley won just 43 of the Republican delegates, while Trump won 764.
Meanwhile, President Biden and former President Donald J Trump emerged from Super Tuesday having amassed huge delegate hauls in California, Texas, and beyond, moving closer to their parties’ nominations and setting up a rematch for the White House in November. (ANI)
The Attorney General for India has filed a written note in the suit filed by the Kerala government where he said that the debt of states affects the credit rating of the country…reports Asian Lite News
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Kerala government to hold a meeting with the Centre and state officials to resolve the financial issues arising between them.
The direction from the bench of Justices Surya Kant and KV Vishwanathan came while hearing the Kerala government plea raising the grave financial crisis faced by the coastal state.
The court clarified that the meeting should be held positively to resolve the dispute and cautioned them not to bring politics into it.
The court also remarked that India’s economy is robust and recognised in the entire world.
Earlier in its affidavit, the Kerala government said that the central government accounts for approximately 60 per cent of the total debt or outstanding liabilities of India.
In an affidavit, the Kerala government said that the centre can’t control the debt of the state and the justification put forth by the Union Government to control the borrowings of the Kerala State is fallacious, exaggerated and unjustified.
Responding to the notes filed by the Attorney General, the Kerala Government made a submission and said, “The central government accounts for approximately 60 per cent of the total debt or outstanding liabilities of India. All the states put together account for the rest (approximately) 40 per cent of the total debt of the country. In fact, the Plaintiff State accounts for a miniscule 1.70-1.75 per cent of the total debt of the centre and the states put together for the period 2019-2023.”
Kerala’s financial health and debt situation have attracted adverse observations from successive Finance Commissions (12th, 14th and 15th) as well as the CAG and it is one of the most financially unhealthy states as its fiscal edifice has been diagnosed with several cracks, the Attorney General said in a note submitted before the Supreme Court.
Responding to Kerala’s government suit, the centre, in its affidavit, apprised the Supreme Court that Kerala has been one of the most financially unhealthy states, and its fiscal edifice has been diagnosed with several cracks.
The Attorney General for India has filed a written note in the suit filed by the Kerala government where he said that the debt of states affects the credit rating of the country.
The note was filed in response to the Kerala government’s petition against the centre’s alleged interference in the state’s finances and said that due to such interference, the state is not able to fulfil the commitments in its annual budgets.
In a suit filed by the Kerala government, it stated that the state government deals with the executive power conferred on the Plaintiff State under Article 293 of the Constitution of India to borrow on the security or guarantee of the Consolidated Fund of the State in alignment with the fiscal autonomy of the Plaintiff State as guaranteed and enshrined in the Constitution.
Kerala Government, through its petition, said the centre, through the Ministry of Finance (Public Finance-State Division), Department of Expenditure letters dated March 2023 and August 2023 and by amendments made to Section 4 of the Fiscal Responsibility.
The Budget Management Act of 2003 sought to interfere with the finances of the state by imposing a net borrowing ceiling on the state.
The Kerala government said that such interference with the finances of the state was caused by imposing a net borrowing ceiling on the plaintiff state in the manner deemed fit by the defendant union, which limits borrowings from all sources, including open market borrowings. (ANI)
Sir Keir called the move, which is expected to raise £2.7bn a year, a “short-term, cynical political gimmick” – adding there was not a “more obvious example of a government that is totally bereft of ideas”…reports Asian Lite News
Keir Starmer has attacked the budget as “the last desperate act of a party that has failed” as he branded Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak “the Chuckle Brothers of decline”.
The Labour leader criticised the chancellor for presiding over a recession and the highest tax burden in 70 years and accused Mr Hunt of using the budget to “give with one hand and take even more with the other”.
The chancellor announced a 2p cut to national insurance and abolished the current tax system for non-doms, which has been a Labour policy for some time.
Sir Keir called the move, which is expected to raise £2.7bn a year, a “short-term, cynical political gimmick” – adding there was not a “more obvious example of a government that is totally bereft of ideas”.
The Labour leader said Hunt was a chancellor who “breezes into this chamber in a recession and tells the working people of this country that everything’s on track”. “Crisis? What crisis? Or as the captain of the Titanic and the former prime minister herself might have said, iceberg? What iceberg?” he joked.
“Smiling as the ship goes down, the Chuckle Brothers of decline, dreaming of Santa Monica or maybe just a quiet life in Surrey not having to self-fund his election,” he added. Sir Keir said Britain deserved better than a “Rishi recession” and claimed the Tories had “maxed out the nation’s credit card”.
And calling for the government to confirm a May general election, he added: “It’s time to break the habit of 14 years – stop the dithering.” Hunt unveiled his budget – expected to be the last before the general election later this year – after speculation in the media pointed towards a possible cut in income tax to woo voters.
But the chancellor resisted calls from Tory MPs for income tax to be reduced and instead stuck to bringing down national insurance further from 10% to 8%.
Hunt said that, combined with the reduction in national insurance in the autumn statement last year, the average worker would be £900 better off. However, both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have argued that frozen income tax thresholds effectively cancel out the benefit of the national insurance cut.
The Office for Budget Responsibility, the independent public finances forecaster, has also said living standards will remain below 2019 levels until 2025-26.
In his statement responding to the budget, Sir Keir said his party would support the cuts to national insurance because it had “campaigned to lower the tax burden on working people for the whole parliament”.
