Eamonn Holmes clashed with a senior Labour minister this morning, just hours before Chancellor Rachel Reeves Is due to deliver her second Budget.
The heated exchange occurred when Eamonn welcomed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Darren Jones to discuss the upcoming financial statement, scheduled for 12.30pm following Prime Minister’s Questions.
Eamonn said: “Good to see you there, Darren. We wondered what we were going to do without you.”
Mr Jones said: “Oh, well, all is well in the world. I’m here and ready to go.”
Eamonn responded: “Okay. Do you think all is well and ready in the world? What effect? How are you viewing this Budget, and what are you hoping it will do?”
Mr Jones began: “Look, I can’t say what’s going to be in the Budget this afternoon.”
Eamonn said: “I didn’t ask you..”
Mr Jones cut him off: “We’re coming into Budget day today.”
Eamonn interrupted the Labour MP
|
GB NEWS
Eamonn interrupted: “I am going to have to stop you there. Darren, I know you can’t tell us what is in the Budget but we already know.
“I am fed up with leaked stories coming from your end about what is in the Budget, and the Chancellor going on and releasing a YouTube video last night telling us more and more.
“All this business you can’t speculate, as if we asked you. I didn’t ask you, number one. Number two is you’re telling us anyway. It’s been leaked. Leak, leaked.”
Mr Jones said: “Yeah, look, there have been a couple of leaks which have been totally unacceptable and not very helpful. I mean, there’s no denying that.
LATEST POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Darren Jones said that he ‘cannot reveal details of the Budget’
|
GB NEWS
“But also, there’s been a lot of speculation from the media and commentators.
“Sadly, I can’t tell them what to write and not to write.
“It’d be great if I could, but look the good news is today’s Budget day.
“The Chancellor will deliver the Budget and then we can stop speculating about it.”
Reports have indicated that Mrs Reeves will announce multiple tax increases to address an estimated £30billion shortfall in public finances, including an extension of the income tax threshold freeze beyond 2028.
The Chancellor released a video on Tuesday evening acknowledging public anger about economic unfairness and promising to make “fair and necessary choices” to tackle living costs.
Business groups across the country were expressing concern about potential measures, with chambers of commerce in Weymouth and Dorchester calling for the Government to avoid repeating last year’s increases to National Insurance and minimum wage requirements.
Several spending commitments had already been confirmed, including additional NHS funding and a 4.1 per cent increase in the national living wage.