Thread by @faisalislam

Chancellor trying to own the “whatever it takes” phrase as his signature...

“Unfunded pledges, reckless borrowing and soaring debt” are fundamentally “un-Conservative”.. he says defending tax rises, saying tax cuts can come only when public finances on sustainable footing

Re supply chain challenges: “we are determined to tackle them head on”... Chancellor tells Conservative conference

Chancellor says his party is the party of business and the party of the worker ... smallish policy announcement on AI scholarships for disadvantaged young people...

Short speech, mainly reintroducing himself to country in normal times...

Thought this bit was interesting: “when people get scared…
...they create divisions.
They say…
..you’re either with us…
...or you’re with THEM.

But you cannot make progress…
... if you’re pitting people against each other.”

Prominent pro Brexit retailer Lord Wolfson going very public with his concerns over worker shortages/ visas and Government’s arguments re wage rises, warning of “Seventies style inflationary spiral”...

standard.co.uk/comment/lord-w…

“labour shortages are a real problem. Of course businesses can, and should, try to recruit workers here in UK — believe me businesses everywhere are trying. But if problem is employees are simply not available in sufficient numbers, then cash alone cannot conjure up more people”

Wolfson suggests: businesses to be able to sponsor as many work visas as they need, BUT -
1. all overseas workers must receive the same pay as their UK colleagues
2. businesses must pay a percentage (7%?) of overseas workers’ wages to the Government as a visa tax.