Twitter users mocked Rishi Sunak last night for wearing £95 ‘teenage’ flip-flop footwear in a pre-Budget pictures by photoshopping clown feet over the American-style sandals – while some pointedly suggested the 41-year-old Conservative ‘act his age’.
The Treasury released glossy photos showing the Chancellor finishing touches to his Budget while wearing socks and the shoes made by Palm Angels. Popular with teenagers, sliders look similar to flip flops, but have no central toe post.
Another photo showed Sprite and Twix next to his red boxes – after the teetotalChancellor stated that he would consume the sugary snacks as part of his ‘pre-game ritual’ for Budget. He was also seen reading on the sofa next to Nova, his red fox labrador dog Nova.
But social media users couldn’t resist sharing hilarious memes of what they thought Tory was trying to appear cool. One person shared a video clip in which actor Steve Buscemi tried to look young, and another asked “How do you do, kids?”‘
As he receives a Budget Day growth boost, Mr Sunak will likely declare that Britain is ready for a new age of optimism and a post-Covid’ economic system.
Twitter users mocked Rishi Sunak last night for wearing £95 ‘teenage’ flip-flop footwear in a pre-Budget pictures by photoshopping clown feet, left, and women’s shoes, right, over the American-style sandals
One person shared a clip showing actor Steve Buscemi, left trying to look young and asking “How do you do, fellow children?” One person shared a clip of Steve Buscemi, left, trying to look young and asking ‘how do you do, fellow kids?’ Another posted Steve Coogan in a shrugging Alan Partridge.
But social media users couldn’t resist sharing hilarious memes that they thought were the Tory’s attempt at being cool.
Rishi Sunak will announce that Britain is ready to enter a “new age of optimism” and a “post-Covid” economy in today’s Budget. Pictured: Nova, the pet dog of Mr Sunak
Official forecasts are set to be updated today. They will show that the economy has rebounded faster than predicted, allowing the chancellor to spend more money.
However, the predictions could have a sting in their tails as rising prices and worker shortages may put pressure on household finances.
His Budget will be hailed by Mr Sunak as a ‘new economy after the pandemic’ as he confirms billions in funding for the NHS as well as wage increases for millions of workers.
He will, however, stress fiscal responsibility as he presents a plan to bring borrowing under control amid inflation concerns and the threat from interest rate increases.
Sunak is expected say in his speech that the Budget today begins the work of preparing for a post-Covid economy. An economy that pays higher wages, has higher skills, and is more productive, with strong public services, vibrant neighborhoods, and safer streets.
“An economy fit to a new age” This is the stronger economy for the future.
Despite the threat of inflation, the Office for Budget Responsibility will give him positive forecasts. The economy is in a better place than expected, thanks to the release of lockdown restrictions and vaccine rollout.
Growth forecasts for this year will be revised from 4 per cent to as high as 7.5 per cent – giving Mr Sunak more leeway to pump money into public services as he sets out spending plans for Whitehall departments for three years.
In the Budget today, Mr Sunak will confirm a rise of the minimum wage to £9.50 from April and the end of the pay freeze he imposed on public-sector workers.
He will also unveil a further £5.9billion in capital funding to help the NHS clear the backlog created by Covid-19.
The Treasury has pledged green investment and policies to take advantage of post-Brexit freedoms and has touted nearly £7billion of new funding for local transport.
Mr Sunak will also establish new fiscal rules. These are expected to include a commitment not to borrow to finance day-to-day expenses within three years.
He will likely also need to reduce his government debt by around 100 percent of his gross domestic product by 2025.
The Office for National Statistics data showed that government borrowing was lower than predicted in the first half the fiscal year. The budget deficit was £108.1billion between April and September, almost 30 per cent below predictions. However, Mr Sunak will warn that servicing the debt could be more expensive if prices rise.
In March, he pointed out that a 1 per cent rise in interest rates and inflation would cost us over £25billion, adding: ‘Over the medium term, we cannot allow debt to keep rising, and, given how high our debt now is, we need to pay close attention to affordability.’
David Gauke, former Treasury minister said yesterday that Radio 4’s the World At One had some good news for him because the economy grew faster than expected. He said that there were still many real challenges.
Mr Sunak will confirm a rise of minimum wage to £9.50 from April however, it was warned that a new inflation forecast could reduce household incomes by £1,000 next year. Pictured: Rishi said that he had his budget ‘pre-game routine’ which included a can of Sprite and Twix.
Official forecasts are set to show the economy is rebounding faster than expected – a development that will allow the Chancellor (pictured last month) to splash more cash
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Commons speaker (pictured), complained that Mr Sunak was treating MPs ‘discourteously’ by prebriefing some of his Budget announcements. He stated that announcements should be made to MPs rather than the media.
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves advised Mr Sunak not to put too much pressure on the working people.
She said that Labour would reduce the household burden by cutting VAT on domestic energy bills for six months. We would not increase taxes on working people or British businesses, while online giants get away with not paying their fair share.
However, the Chancellor was reprimanded by MPs over a slew of pre-Budget policy media briefings made by the Treasury ahead of the financial statement.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, has repeatedly rebuked this approach. He insists that all policy announcements should be made first to politicians.
Sir Lindsay, who has made a point to criticize ministers for making announcements beyond the Commons yesterday, did the same thing this afternoon after more fiscal details had been briefed.
As the Commons Speaker, Mr Sunak and Treasury were accused of treating Parliament in a “discourteous way”, he pledged to do everything possible to ensure that ministers answer questions from MPs.
MPs from both parties of the chamber expressed anger at the Government’s communications strategy, accusing ministers with treating parliamentary democracy with “utter contempt”.
It is the latest standoff between Speaker and ministers. After being given a blunt telling off, Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, agreed to make major Covid decisions for Parliament and the nation via television in June.
Sir Lindsay granted Sir Lindsay a second urgent question within two days to force Treasury ministers into the Commons to answer questions about the forthcoming fiscal event.
He stated that the ministerial codes states that important announcements about Government policy should be made first to Parliament when it’s in session.
Sir Lindsay said to the Commons, ‘I was disappointed that there were more stories in the media today with apparently very well briefed information about the Budget tomorrow.
He accused the Government for treating the Commons in an ‘inconsiderate manner’ and added: ‘This House won’t be taken for granted, It’s not right that everybody be briefed. It’s not more important for people to watch the news in morning than it is for them to come to this House.
Simon Clarke, Chief Treasury Secretary, defended Government. He said that the goal of ‘trailing specific parts of the Budget in advance’ was to help the public understand what we’re doing to their hard-earned dollars.
Responding to a Labour pre-Budget question, he stated: “The ability of Parliament, including the Budget, to scrutinise Government is clearly crucial. This is why we have five days of parliamentary deliberation this week and next, and why the Chancellor will also be appearing in front of two select committees in this House next week.
He stated that the ‘bulk and detail of the Budget’ would be presented by Mr Sunak in Parliament tomorrow.
He said: “Part of the Government’s objective when trailing certain aspects of the Budget in Advance is to help communicate the public what we are doing with their hard earned money because we believe there’s merit in clear, accurate information.
Both Labour and Tory MPs criticized Mr Clarke.
Julian Lewis, Conservative asked the minister: “Why is it important, right and necessary to share Budget information to the media before it’s shared with this House? It can be subject to proper scrutiny.” And will he promise to stop doing it on behalf of Treasury?
Angela Eagle of Labour added that this was a disgraceful treatment of parliamentary democracy. He should have come to the House and apologized, his boss should also have come to the House and apologised.