London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025

Truss admits her tax cuts will disproportionately benefit the rich - and says she's prepared to be an unpopular PM to boost economy

Truss admits her tax cuts will disproportionately benefit the rich - and says she's prepared to be an unpopular PM to boost economy

The prime minister spoke to Sky News ahead of her chancellor announcing new tax policies on Friday. Taking a bullish stance, she insisted she would push ahead whatever the consequences.

Liz Truss has said she is prepared to be unpopular with her tax policy as she believes it will ultimately benefit the British economy.

Talking to Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby in New York, the prime minister defended any tax changes her government will make at the end of the week and said she will do what she has to do to get the economy growing again.

She also dismissed concerns around government plans to borrow more instead of taxing energy companies' profits (a windfall tax) and said she does not accept cutting taxes is unfair.

Asked if she was prepared to be unpopular with her policies, Ms Truss said: "Yes, yes I am.

"What is important to me is that we grow the British economy, because that is what will ultimately deliver higher wages, more investment in towns and cities across the country, that is what will ultimately deliver more money into people's pockets, and it will also enable us to fund the services like the National Health Service.

"And in order to get that economic growth, Britain has to be competitive."

She said putting up taxes, placing "arbitrary taxes" on energy companies or having high corporation tax would result in a lack of investment and growth which she said "will ultimately damage opportunities in this country".

Ms Truss defended reports that Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng will scrap caps on bankers' bonuses during a mini budget announcement on Friday as she blamed the UK's "relatively low growth" on a lack of capital investment.

"We haven't had enough capital investment and yet we have one of the world's best financial services centres," she said.

"So what I want to see is that money in the City of London put to good use across our country - and yes, I'm prepared to do what it takes to get that money flowing."

Liz Truss spoke to Beth Rigby at the Empire State Building before meeting world leaders at the UN General Assembly


As she further laid the path for the bankers' bonus announcement and tax-cutting, the PM admitted her tax cuts would disproportionately benefit the rich.

"I don't accept this argument that cutting taxes is somehow unfair," she said.

"I mean, what we know is that people on higher incomes generally pay more tax.

"So when you reduce taxes, there is often a disproportionate benefit because those people are paying more taxes in the first place.

"We should be setting our tax policy on the basis of what is going to make our country most successful, what is going to deliver that economy that benefits everyone in this country."

While the prime minister remained bullish about her tax policies, she did admit it will be a "tough winter".

But she added: "I'm determined my government takes every step and strains every sinew to get the economy going, to make sure we have a successful economy and as a country we can weather this storm.

"We will get through it."

Earlier in the day, the PM promised the UK would not bring in energy rationing this winter as some countries, such as Germany, have done.

She said the UK - and the West - "cannot jeopardise our security for the sake of cheap energy" as she pushed for other countries to commit to continue supporting Ukraine after announcing the UK will match the more than £2.3bn military aid it provided this year.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
×