Central banks will push economies into recession, says Hunt adviser

Signs of weakness needed before monetary policy is eased in west, says strategist advising chancellor

Central banks will push western economies into recession in order to be sure of winning the battle against inflation, one of Jeremy Hunt's advisers has warned.

Rejecting the idea of a soft landing", Karen Ward, a member of the chancellor's economic advisory council, said there would need to be signs of weakness before policymakers felt able to ease their tough approach.