Kids Suffered a 'Substantial Toll' During Coronavirus Crisis, Johnson States to Inquiry
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- By James Chambers
- 04 Mar 2026
Treasury head Reeves has stated she is planning "targeted steps to deal with household expense issues" in the forthcoming financial statement.
During an interview with the BBC, she stated that lowering inflation is a shared task of both the administration and the central bank.
The United Kingdom's price growth is expected to be the highest among the Group of Seven advanced economies this calendar year and next.
It is understood the government could intervene to bring down energy bills, for instance by reducing the current 5% rate of VAT applied on energy supplies.
An additional approach is to cut some of the policy costs presently added to bills.
The government will obtain the latest draft from the independent fiscal watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, on Monday, which will show how much room there is for these measures.
The consensus from most economists is that the Chancellor will have to introduce tax increases or spending cuts in order to meet her declared borrowing rules.
Previously on the same day, calculations showed there was a £22 billion gap for the chancellor to address, which is at the lower end of forecasts.
"There's a shared job between the Bank of England and the government to further reduce some of the drivers of price increases," the Chancellor stated to reporters in the US capital, at the annual meetings of the IMF and global financial institution.
While a great deal of the attention has been on expected tax rises, the chancellor said the latest figures from the OBR had not altered her pledge to manifesto promises not to increase tax levels on income tax, VAT or National Insurance.
She attributed an "unpredictable global environment" with rising international and commercial issues for the fiscal revenue measures, probably to be targeted on those "wealthiest."
Referring to concerns about the UK's commercial links with the Asian nation she said: "The UK's national security always are paramount."
Recent statement by China to strengthen trade restrictions on critical minerals and other resources that are key for high-technology production led American leader Donald Trump to propose an extra 100% tariff on goods from China, raising the risk of an full-scale commercial conflict between the two largest economies.
The American finance chief described China's action "economic coercion" and "a global supply chain power grab."
Asked about accepting the American proposal to join its battle with China, the Chancellor said she was "very concerned" by China's actions and urged the Beijing authorities "to avoid restrictions and restrict access."
She said the move was "damaging for the global economy and generates further obstacles."
"In my view there are areas where we should challenge China, but there are also valuable opportunities to export to China's economy, including financial services and other areas of the economy. We've got to get that balance correct."
The Treasury chief also affirmed she was working with other major economies "regarding our own critical minerals approach, so that we are less reliant."
Reeves also recognized that the price the NHS pays for pharmaceuticals could go up as a consequence of current discussions with the Trump administration and its pharmaceutical firms, in return for reduced taxes and investment.
A number of the world's largest pharmaceutical manufacturers have said in recent statements that they are either halting or abandoning operations in the United Kingdom, with some blaming the modest returns they are obtaining.
Recently, the government science advisor said the cost the NHS spends on drugs would need to go up to prevent businesses and drug research funding leaving the UK.
The Chancellor told media: "We have seen as a result of the cost structure, that medical research, innovative medicines have not been provided in the UK in the extent that they are in other EU nations."
"Our aim is to make sure that patients getting care from the National Health Service are able to receive the finest essential medicines in the world. And so we are looking at these issues, and... aiming to attract increased investment into the UK."
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