Liz Truss says tax-cutting policies could be 'unpopular' amid cost of living crisis


Neil Murphy
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Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss has conceded not all of her tax-cutting policies will be “popular” as she prepares to lift the cap on bankers’ bonuses while millions endure the cost of living crisis.

Her admission comes as Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng prepares to announce in his emergency mini-budget on Friday a network of low-tax, low-regulation investment zones.

Ms Truss is currently in New York for the UN General Assembly, where she has been responding to questions about her economic plan. Some say her proposals run the risk of further increasing inflation and sending the pound to new lows.

Critics have taken issue with the timing of the likely lifting of the bankers’ cap introduced by EU legislation after the 2008 financial crisis. It limits annual payouts to twice a banker’s salary.

Ms Truss said it was important to make Britain more "competitive" amid a decline in living standards.

“Everything we do will be focused on delivering for people because ultimately what I want to see is more jobs, higher wages and more opportunities," she said.

Ms Truss was pressed on whether her government is on the right side as she also refuses to impose a windfall tax on energy companies. This would fund measures to prevent energy bills soaring further.

“We are on the side of delivering a higher wage economy, that’s what we need to do,” she said.

“Not every measure will be popular and there are always vested interests, people who oppose measures that increase economic growth.

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng arrives for a Cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London. EPA.
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng arrives for a Cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London. EPA.

“But what is important to me, what is important to the chancellor, is that people have more opportunities, there is more investment, there are jobs with higher wages. And we are prepared to make that argument. This is about growing the size of the pie.”

Ms Truss also defended the tax cuts coming in Friday’s “fiscal event”. These are expected to include a reverse of the national insurance increase and cancellation of the planned rise in corporation tax.

“Lower taxes lead to economic growth, there is no doubt in my mind about that,” she said.

Under her plan for investment zones, Ms Truss said these areas would benefit from a low-tax burden, reduced planning restrictions and regulations tailored on a case-by-case basis.

The Sun On Sunday reported that the new prime minister is now considering whether personal taxes could be cut for people working there.

Mr Kwarteng could announce as many as 12 of the in his highly anticipated budget, The Sunday Times reported. However, the newspaper made no mention of tax cuts for people.

Ministers are also said to have discussed whether environmental protections could be watered down in these areas to clear the way for new developments.

The government is reportedly looking at the West Midlands, Thames Estuary, Tees Valley, West Yorkshire and Norfolk as potential sites.

How Apple's credit card works

The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.

What does it cost?

Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.

What will the interest rate be?

The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts

What about security? 

The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.

Is it easy to use?

Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision. 

* Associated Press 

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Updated: September 20, 2022, 6:19 PM`