Hunt Raises Minimum Wage but Rejects Tax Cuts, Disappointing Some Tories While Trying to Woo Voters Before 2024 Election
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Treasury chief Hunt announced minimum wage hike but ruled out tax cuts to control inflation, angering some Conservatives.
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Hunt said tax cuts would fuel inflation, but others at conference urged slashing taxes.
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Hunt pledged to freeze civil service hiring, toughen welfare rules to get more into workforce.
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Announcements aimed to please voters ahead of 2024 election, but Tories trail Labour in polls after years of turmoil.
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Rail strike disrupted conference travel, fueling critics' attacks on Tories' handling of economy and north-south divide.