UK government is hiding £28bn of ‘stealth cuts’ to public services, says report

Thinktank warns austerity drive at next month's budget will further damage economy

Rishi Sunak's government is hiding 28bn of stealth cuts" to public services over the next five years, according to a report warning that a renewed austerity drive at next month's budget would further damage the economy.

Calling on the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, to change course at next month's tax and spending set-piece speech to the House of Commons, the Trades Union Congress said a boost for public spending could help keep Britain out of a recession this year.