'That's why I talk about levelling with people about the public finances and our plans to address them.' But there is a challenge [in the public finances] and I want to level with people about the challenge. Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell said backbenchers were prepared to become 'an absolute nightmare' for Mr Sunak chancellor by demanding resources for their constituencies, the Independent reported. Lord Clarke told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme that Mr Sunak 'has to keep in place things like the furlough scheme'. Mr Sunak previously hinted that tax rises earlier this month following the release by the ONS of the national debt figures.

Source: The Nation February 27, 2021 09:56 UTC