MP slams Conservative plans to fund tax cuts for the rich by slashing benefits and pensions

This morning, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has written to the Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng demanding him not to go ahead with plans to cut benefits and pensions in order to pay for a tax cut for those earning over £150,000 a year.

According to reports today in several national newspapers, ministers are drawing up plans to not increase benefits and pensions in line with inflation so they can fund tax cuts announced in the mini-budget last week.

In a letter to the Chancellor, Tim said: "In the middle of a cost of living crisis you will, therefore, be cutting the incomes of the most vulnerable in our country, so that you can afford a tax cut which only benefits the very wealthiest.

"I'm absolutely astounded that in the last 48 hours the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Financial Secretary to the Treasury have both appeared on national television refusing to rule this heartless and outrageous move out when challenged by interviewers.

"Your predecessor, Rishi Sunak, made a promise that benefits and pensions would be uprated in line with inflation this Autumn. You would not only be breaking that promise, but also the pledge you made in your party's election manifesto to keep the pension triple lock.

"You have no mandate to do this.

"I, therefore, urge you in the strongest possible terms to morally do the right thing and reverse your tax cut for the richest and keep benefits and pensions in line with inflation."