"Jeremy Hunt's Dilemma: Navigating Tax Cuts and Budget Bounce for the Tories"

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt faces pressure to deliver tax cuts in the upcoming Budget, with Conservative colleagues pushing for reductions to the overall tax burden. However, polling suggests that many voters prioritize funding for public services over tax cuts. The Treasury is considering a National Insurance cut, while also eyeing oil and gas profits and closing legal loopholes for wealthy individuals to potentially offset the cost. With economic challenges and looming costs from the pandemic and other scandals, the Budget is not expected to provide a significant political boost for the Tories.