Can Jeremy Hunt’s gamble pay off?

As the UK – and indeed the world – faces the prospect of an economic downturn this year, what exactly can the government do about it? This remains an ongoing debate within the Tory party, as Rishi Sunak continues to emphasise the importance of stability, while Liz Truss’s most loyal supporters keep pressuring the government to revive her focus on economic growth. 

This morning a trio of cabinet members showed up in the City to suggest that it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan, Business Secretary Grant Shapps and the main act, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, opened this morning’s conference at Bloomberg by insisting the UK has all the resources it needs to see its digital and tech sectors thrive. They want to boost economic growth and, crucially, not spend lots of taxpayer money.

Just as we got the Prime Minister’s five pledges at the start of the year, today we heard the Chancellor’s four pillars: Enterprise, education, employment and everywhere.