Rishi Sunak ‘protecting Treasury from inflation at families’ expense’

Critics of UK chancellor's spring statement say it prioritises debt reduction and fails to provide support to lower-income households

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Rishi Sunak has battled to protect the Treasury from rising prices while allowing inflation to ravage the finances of low and middle-income households. That is the accusation levelled at the chancellor after a spring budget statement that put government debt reduction ahead of calls for extra welfare support for hard-pressed families.

Sunak's dilemma, as inflation heads towards 8% and possibly beyond, is whether he can afford to increase the Treasury's outlay on welfare and public services, including public sector pay.