Tax and spending cuts will backfire, economists warn Jeremy Hunt

Former Treasury aides say the chancellor is courting danger on UK debt and that fiscal rules must go

Leading economists warn today that Jeremy Hunt will cost the country dear" if he gambles on pre-election cuts to tax and spending in this week'sbudget.

Two former advisers to the Treasury, backed by other economists, said that instead of decisions aimed at sabotaging prospects for the next government", the chancellor should focus on the long-term national interest with measures to spur investment and growth.