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Jeremy Hunt: Sound money has to come before tax cuts

BBC political editor Chris Mason asks the Chancellor why taxes have increased in the Autumn Statement.

Jeremy Hunt said the UK had been through a "very exceptional situation" with a pandemic and a war started by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said the government was putting in place a plan to bring down debt, and that had to come before tax cuts.

17 November 2022

Autumn Statement

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Chancellor says Budget will raise taxes by £40bn

Rishi Sunak wearing a blue suit and a grey tie, standing in the Commons

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Rachel Reeves

Watch: Reeves 'deeply proud' to be first female chancellor

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Protester dragged out after interrupting Reeves speech

Jeremy Hunt

Reeves 'trying to hoodwink' voters over tax and spending - Jeremy Hunt

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Previous government made 'unfunded' spending promises - Reeves

Rachel Reeves sitting across from Laura Kuenssberg

Chancellor asked about two-child benefit cap

Adrian Ramsay

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Sir Keir Starmer and Nick Robinson

UK can do better than Johnson's 'botched' post-Brexit trade deal - Starmer

Rachel Reeves

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Sir Keir Starmer

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Rachel Reeves

Reeves says Lawson was right on National Insurance

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Sunak: Our plan is working, delivering brighter Britain

SIr Keir Starmer

Starmer 'fully confident' Rayner has not broken rules

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: Closing tax gap is 'not rocket science'

Jeremy Hunt

Watch: Tories will keep 'triple lock' on pensions - chancellor

Rishi Sunak

PM says new inflation figures show his plan is working

Rachel Reeves

We can't turn things around straight away - Reeves

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.