DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Tax cut warning PM simply can't ignore

DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Tax cut warning PM simply can’t ignore

Normally the Daily Mail would treat forecasts by the OECD with a sceptically raised eyebrow.

After all, the Paris-based think-tank has been badly off target on everything from the economic impact of Brexit to the UK’s post-pandemic rebound.

But even a stopped clock is right twice a day. So ministers should take note of the watchdog’s latest troubling prediction.

Unless Rishi Sunak slashes taxes, it warns, Britain’s economy will stagnate next year. Among the G20 nations, only warmongering Russia will fare worse.

 If the OECD is right, Boris Johnson needs to act quickly

Yet the UK is the only major Western economy which is seeking to restore the Covid-blighted public finances in the face of a cost-of-living surge and the Ukraine war.

As a result, households and businesses are being stifled by the highest tax burden since the Queen took the throne in 1952. But by leaving more money in Britons’ pockets, the Chancellor can encourage investment, boost consumer spending and fuel growth.

As part of his great reset, Boris Johnson has promised his backbenchers he will return to Tory principles and cut tax.

If the OECD is indeed right on this occasion, he needs to act quickly. The consequences of not doing so would be horrendous – for our economy, firms and families.

Keir’s strike shame

Who does union dinosaur Mick Lynch think he’s fooling when he says he regrets the hurt the threatened summer of rail strikes will cause the travelling public?

Everyone knows it is a cynical lie. In fact, this harebrained throwback to the dark ages of industrial strife and his RMT cronies relish causing economic harm and maximum inconvenience to millions.

The planned walkout, spitefully designed to bring the network to a halt for nearly a week later this month, is ostensibly over pay and conditions.

But the truth is, these diehard class warriors are spoiling for a fight with the Tory Government. Why else would they call for the biggest rail strike in 30 years before negotiations even began?

So where does Sir Keir Starmer, who aspires to be prime minister, stand on this vital issue? With the people, or with the wreckers? He has certainly failed to condemn the strikes so far, instead issuing weasel words about how unions and management should get round the table.

Why won’t he tell the truth – that this action is damaging and uncalled for?

Whatever voters might think of Mr Johnson, this is a bleak glimpse of what life could be like under Labour. Kowtowing to their union paymasters while the country goes to the dogs.

Blood on their hands

When Priti Patel unveiled her bold plan to deport illegal Channel migrants to Rwanda, we warned that opponents would try every trick in the book to block the crackdown.

Today, depressingly, we are proved right. A nexus of professional agitators, hard-Left unions and progressive lawyers are taking the Government to court to prevent the first planeload leaving.

Unsurprisingly, one of the law firms is close to the Labour Party, which is itself more than happy for illegal immigrants to stay here on the taxpayer.

By exploiting the legal system to block these removals, the Left is colluding in evil trafficking gangs’ trade in human cargo. They have blood on their hands.

• Political sages have urged Mr Johnson to offer Jeremy Hunt, who is scheming to become Tory leader, the post of Chancellor as part of a ‘dream team’ to stabilise the party. How ludicrous! But given the insipid arch-Remainer was chief assassin in Monday’s failed coup against the PM, wouldn’t he be better suited at the Home Office – as minister for knife crime?

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