Rishi Sunak criticised over furlough scheme by Mike Graham
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The Chancellor has refused to rule out tax rises as he attempts to tackle the UK's surging debt. However Sir John Redwood, a leading Brexiteer, argued the Government will increase revenues by cutting taxes as economic growth will be greater.
Writing for the Mail on Sunday he said: "Now is not the time for a budget that raises taxes.
"Or for taking money away from people on benefits.
"Everyone needs to have some money to go out and spend again.
"This requires tax cuts - not tax rises.
© GETTYBudget
© GETTYBudget
"The Government should also build on its success with the vaccine rollout to keep investing in an optimistic, low-tax Britain."
Appearing on Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Sunak promised an "honest and fair plan" to start paying down the national debt.
He commented: "I would like to keep taxes low for people.
"But I want to deliver our promises to the British people that we will be responsible with their money."
READ MORE: 'Breaking manifesto promises!' Frustrated Marr slams Rishi Sunak
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The Chancellor declined to discuss claims the budget will feature a three-year income tax threshold freeze to raise £6bn or that corporation tax is set to increase.
He also refused to rule out increases to VAT, income tax or national insurance even though these go against the Conservative Party's 2019 manifesto.
In 2020 the UK economy shrank by 9.9 percent due to the pandemic, it's biggest fall in 300 years.
Due to Covid-19, the Government dramatically increased the level of financial support available to business and introduced a national furlough scheme to protect jobs.
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© GETTYBudget
The UK's national debt is now over £2.02trillion, bigger than the entire British economy.
However in his article, Sir John argued tax cuts would increase the total revenue collected by the British state.
He wrote: "When Ireland taxed company profits at the very low rate of 12.5 per cent, it collected much more tax from companies as a proportion of its economy and total revenues than we do.
"This was because large and profitable companies - and billionaires - are able to rebase parts of their business, such as where they book global revenues, in low-tax countries.
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"George Osborne, as Chancellor, reduced the UK's corporation tax rate progressively. Each time he cut, he collected more tax.
"The fact is that putting up tax rates can actually lead to less revenue."
Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Annelise Dodds, the Labour shadow chancellor, also rejected tax rises for the time being.
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She urged the Chancellor to focus on "securing the recovery" and added "it certainly shouldn't be right now in terms of immediate tax rises".
Under plans unveiled by Boris Johnson on Monday the Government hopes to end all restrictions on social gatherings by June 21.
However it warned this date could slip if the infection rate fails to fall or a new vaccine-dodging coronavirus variant emerges.