Jeremy Hunt’s pre-election Budget labelled both ‘solid’ and ‘mad’

There were mixed reactions in Thursday’s newspapers after ChancellorJeremy Hunt revealed his Budget with reactions ranging from “solid” to “mad”.

Mr Hunt left the door open for more pre-election giveaways after delivering another 2p cut in national insurance in the Budget.

The Chancellor spent around £10 billion on cutting national insurance but speaking after his announcement, suggested more could be on the way.

The Guardian said the Government chose to “nullify” the arguments of backbench critics instead of making good on Mr Sunak’s 2022 pledge for “crowd-pleasing” tax cuts.

“Insanity is said to be doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If that is the case, then Jeremy Hunt resorting to arguments that an economy can cut its way to growth may well be judged to be mad,” the paper said.

It said Sir Keir Starmer and Labour must come up with something “substantial” to replace an ending era in British politics.

The Times praised the Chancellor’s “bold” Budget, saying the tax cuts will help embattled families and businesses.

The paper said it may be too late for the party though with the Budget leaving “hard choices” awaiting the next Chancellor.