It came as Mr Sunak looked to ease cost of living pressures on households as a drop in energy bills and an increase to the National Living Wage came into force.
The Prime Minister insisted 2024 would be “the year Britain bounces back” and said the measures could save households an average of £3,850 a year coupled with recent cuts to National Insurance.
The National Living Wage has risen from £10.42 to £11.44 as of Monday, while a fall in the Ofgem energy price cap of around 12 per cent is projected to save households around £250 a year on their energy bills.
Mr Sunak said: “Today’s measures could save households around £3,850 year on average which – taken with the upcoming cuts to National Insurance – will put more money in their pockets to help ignite the economy. Although recent years have tested our resolve, we have not bowed. We have stuck to the plan, more than halved inflation, and set us on a path to growth.
“Because of this determination, we find ourselves in a new economic moment and, thanks to our bumper package of economic reforms coming into force today, 2024 is set to be the year Britain bounces back.”
Downing Street claimed the Prime Minister had now succeeded in achieving three of the ‘five pledges’ he set out at the start of 2023 – to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt.
Darren Jones, Labour’s chief secretary to the Treasury, accused Mr Sunak of being “detached from reality” and blamed the Conservative Party for the current recession.
In the poll, Labour led by 19 percentage points – up three from the end of last year – with the official opposition commanding 45 per cent of support and the Tories 26 per cent.
Cabinet ministers projected to lose their seats include the Home Secretary James Cleverly, the Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, and the Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt.
The poll also found the Tory seat haul would increase by more than 50 per cent if Reform UK, Richard Tice’s insurgent Right-wing party, was to stand aside.
The Conservatives would win 150 seats if Reform did not stand candidates across the UK, although Mr Tice has insisted that, unlike the Brexit Party in 2019, he will contest every seat.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
