If Jeremy Hunt follows ahead with the anticipated raid on Universal Credit, Tory ministers would most likely steal millions of pounds from their own citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chancellor intends to reduce payments to regular families in order to fund tax breaks for the wealthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cabinet ministers have more than 125,000 Universal Credit applicants in their constituencies, according to official figures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to calculations, they stand to lose a whopping \u00a323.7 million if Mr Hunt decides to fudge the data to save money in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Universal Credit payments are set to rise by 6.7% in April, based on the September inflation rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But to free up cash to pay for bungs for the rich, the Chancellor is thinking about using the lower inflation figure from October, which was 4.6%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This would mean that low income families would lose hundreds of pounds each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Hunt wishes to limit benefit spending in order to lower taxes. A reduction in either income tax or national insurance is one of the proposals being considered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other ideas include lowering inheritance tax, despite the fact that the charge is only paid by the richest 4% of the population. Couples can transfer up to \u00a31 million to their children without paying duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cabinet ministers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rishi Sunak <\/strong>(PM), Richmond (Yorks): 5,000 UC claims, \u00a3868,800 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3174)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oliver Dowden <\/strong>(Deputy PM), Hertsmere: 6,800 UC claims, \u00a31,507,200 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3222)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeremy Hunt <\/strong>(Chancellor), South West Surrey: 3,800 UC claims, \u00a3756,000 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3199)<\/p>\n\n\n\n James Cleverly <\/strong>(Home Secretary), Braintree: 6,200 UC claims, \u00a31,192,800 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3192)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grant Shapps <\/strong>(Defence Secretary), Welwyn Hatfield: 7,600 UC claims, \u00a31,538,400 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3202)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alex Chalk <\/strong>(Justice Secretary), Cheltenham: 6,300 UC claims, \u00a31,128,000 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3179)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Michelle Donelan <\/strong>(Science Secretary), Chippenham: 5,700 UC claims, \u00a31,072,800 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3188)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Michael Gove <\/strong>(Levelling Up Secretary), Surrey Heath: 4,500 UC claims, \u00a3895,200 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3199)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Victoria Atkins <\/strong>(Health Secretary), Louth and Horncastle: 6,700 UC claims, \u00a31,190,400 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3178)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Penny Mordaunt <\/strong>(Commons Leader), Portsmouth North: 7,800 UC claims, \u00a31,461,600 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3187)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kemi Badenoch <\/strong>(Business Secretary), Saffron Walden: 4,800 UC claims, \u00a31,008,000 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3210)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Claire Coutinho <\/strong>(Energy Secretary), East Surrey: 5,500 UC claims, \u00a31,176,000 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3214)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steve Barclay <\/strong>(Environment Secretary), North East Cambridgeshire: 9,100 UC claims, \u00a31,596,000 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3175)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mel Stride <\/strong>(Work and Pensions Secretary), Central Devon: 4,600 UC claims, \u00a3861,600 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3187)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gillian Keegan <\/strong>(Education Secretary), Chichester: 6,200 UC claims, \u00a31,238,400 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3200)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark Harper <\/strong>(Transport Secretary), Forest of Dean: 5,200 UC claims, \u00a3972,000 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3187)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lucy Frazer <\/strong>(Culture Secretary), South East Cambridgeshire: 5,200 UC claims, \u00a31,003,200 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3193)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Richard Holden <\/strong>(Tory Chairman), North West Durham: 7,500 UC claims, \u00a31,257,600 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3168)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chris Heaton-Harris <\/strong>(Northern Ireland Secretary), Daventry: 5,500 UC claims, \u00a31,010,400 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3184)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alister Jack <\/strong>(Scottish Secretary), Dumfries and Galloway: 7,100 UC claims, \u00a31,233,600 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3174)<\/p>\n\n\n\n David TC Davies <\/strong>(Welsh Secretary), Monmouth: 4,300 UC claims, \u00a3746,400 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3174)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Total: 125,400 UC claims, \u00a323,714,400 worse off<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Attends Cabinet<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon Hart <\/strong>(Chief Whip), Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire: 5,100 UC claims, \u00a3880,800 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3173)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laura Trott <\/strong>(Chief Secretary to the Treasury), Sevenoaks: 4,200 UC claims, \u00a3880,800 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3210)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Victoria Prentis <\/strong>(Attorney General), Banbury: 7,700 UC claims, \u00a31,512,000 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3196)<\/p>\n\n\n\n John Glen <\/strong>(Paymaster General), Salisbury: 5,800 UC claims, \u00a31,099,200 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3190)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Esther McVey <\/strong>(Minister without Portfolio), Tatton: 3,600 UC claims, \u00a3672,000 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3187)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robert Jenrick <\/strong>(Immigration Minister), Newark: 6,100 UC claims, \u00a31,036,800 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3170)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tom Tugendhat\u00a0<\/strong>(Security Minister), Tonbridge and Malling: 4,900 UC claims, \u00a31,017,600 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3208)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Andrew Mitchell <\/strong>(Development Minister), Sutton Coldfield: 4,100 UC claims, \u00a3698,400 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3170)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Johnny Mercer <\/strong>(Veterans Minister), Plymouth, Moor View: 8,500 UC claims, \u00a31,617,600 worse off (Average loss: \u00a3190)<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Estimates based on latest data from May 2023.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chancellor stated on Sunday morning political shows that he intended to reduce the tax burden, which has climbed to a 70-year high under this Conservative government. He did not, however, specify which taxes will be decreased.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If Jeremy Hunt follows ahead with the anticipated raid on Universal Credit, Tory ministers would most likely steal millions of pounds from their own citizens. The Chancellor intends to reduce … <\/p>\n