Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s mention of “swimming pools” in his budget speech on Wednesday caused a huge outbreak of laughter, as he attempted to lay out how Britain's finances are being managed.
Mr Hunt was announcing extra financial support for community leisure facilities amid rising energy costs, but the trigger of opposition mockery was the report from a week earlier that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was upgrading his local power system for an indoor heated swimming pool at his constituency home in Richmond, Yorkshire.
“Drowning!” shouted one Labour MP, in a swipe at the Conservative government’s position in the polls — not pools.
It was one of a number of reminders that the government is dominated by people with a life detached from most others.
Widespread strikes, including one by teachers unions, forced many London primary school pupils to miss class on Wednesday. Mr Hunt's children were watching their father from the gallery but in school uniform, presumably to return to class in the afternoon.
Mr Hunt was parachuted into No 11 Downing Street last October after then-prime minister Liz Truss and her chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s disastrous mini-budget unleashed chaos on the markets.
After Mr Sunak came into office, Mr Hunt was reappointed Chancellor. Before that, he had been a stalwart of Conservative governments at the foreign, health and culture departments, only to be shunted into the cold during Boris Johnson's three-year premiership.
The Chancellor made his recent midlife ups and downs a theme of his budget, as he attempted to lighten the mood while announcing employment reforms.
Theresa May, the 66-year-old Conservative former minister, offered him a faint smile as Mr Hunt, 56, joked that rather than being considered an “older worker” he identifies more with the term “experienced”.
Quipping about his “new career in finance”, he was caught off guard when one MP shot back: “How did it go?”
“It’s going well, thank you,” the Chancellor responded without a hint of sarcasm.
Then Mr Hunt declared London the best place in the world to be a female entrepreneur and there was more laughter when an opposition voice called out the other former female prime minister.
“Not Liz Truss!” the MP said.
Defence
Mr Hunt announced the defence budget would be expanded by £11 billion, following talks with “persuasive” Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and an “equally persuasive” Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer.
But while the package drew nods of support from the Tory benches, Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the defence select committee in the House of Commons, offered no visible sign of approval.
Energy
Lee Anderson, MP for Ashfield in Nottinghamshire and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, watched intently from a standing position at the back of the room, nodding in approval of the Chancellor’s announcement that the energy price guarantee, which helps households with gas and electricity bills, would be extended until the end of June.
And there were nods all around from the Tory benches when Mr Hunt said poorer households which use prepayment metres to pay energy bills would no longer have to pay a higher price than households that pay by direct debit.
Mr Hunt was heckled by Labour MPs over his declaration that a new “Great British Nuclear” programme would be launched to “bring down costs” and “provide opportunities” in the supply chain.
“It’s so good to hear Labour in favour of nuclear energy,” he said in jest, while at least two Conservative backbench MPs could be seen mimicking clapping as they gestured to their Labour counterparts.
Childcare
Roars of support came from the Tory benches as Mr Hunt announced sweeping childcare reforms, extending the 30 hours of free weekly for one- and two-year-old children.
Jess Phillips, a Labour MP known for her campaigns on women's issues, was less impressed. Shaking her head in disapproval at the Chancellor’s offer of further support for women seeking to get back to work after giving birth, the opposition MP appeared to suggest it was not enough.
Inflation
The Chancellor opened his budget announcement by discussing the government's efforts to halve inflation — one of the Prime Minister's five key pledges.
Declaring that the UK economy is on track to avoid a recession, there was mostly silence from the opposition benches while Mr Sunak himself appeared more than pleased with the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecast.
He smiled and nodded as Mr Hunt said inflation is on track to fall from 10.7 per cent in the final quarter of last year to 2.9 per cent by the end of 2023.
“That is more than halving inflation,” the Chancellor said, as the Prime Minister basked in the moment.
Debt
When delving into the topic of debt, the Chancellor took the opportunity to take a swipe at Labour.
He said thanks to the efforts of Mr Sunak's administration, debt was on the downturn after the Tories “inherited an economy from Labour that had crashed”.
Members of the Labour front bench appeared unimpressed as they sat still with emotionless faces.
OBR forecasts indicate that public sector borrowing is on track to hit £152.4 billion for 2022/23, almost £25 billion less than earlier forecasts.
Levelling up
Priti Patel, a Conservative former minister, was on the edge of her seat for most of the budget announcement, making her views known by nodding in agreement over Mr Hunt’s criticism of Labour.
When Mr Hunt declared the Tories were committed to levelling up communities and delivering their growth agenda, one opposition MP shouted “13 years” in reference to the time the ruling party have been in office.
The Chancellor hit back by saying enterprise has “never been something of interest for the Labour Party” as Ms Patel entered a kind of rhapsody.
All sides know Mr Hunt’s “budget of growth” will be judged by how it salvages the Tories' standing with voters: Five months after Mr Sunak promised a fresh start, the party continues to trail Labour in the polls.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Aya Iskandarani
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
The years Ramadan fell in May
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Omania, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
Winner: Brehaan, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Craving, Connor Beasley, Simon Crisford
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Prep (PA) Dh100,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Fertile De Croate, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
More on Quran memorisation:
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Avatar%20(2009)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Cameron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Worthington%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
List of alleged parties
- May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
- 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
- Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
- Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
- Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters
- Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
- Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More coverage from the Future Forum
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
More on animal trafficking
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Denis%20Villeneuve%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Timothee%20Chamalet%2C%20Zendaya%2C%20Austin%20Butler%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
