Whitehall fears Hunt’s spending cuts could tip UK into deep recession

Chancellor's fiscal plan by Halloween would be too rushed and irresponsible', say officials

Senior Whitehall officials are concerned that Jeremy Hunt now risks going too far in cutting public spending and should delay the Halloween statement outlining his austerity plans, the Observer has been told.

Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, is understood to have been made aware of concerns that the chancellor risks going too far in cutting back spending if he decides to go ahead with a sweeping programme of reductions.