British PM Truss fires finance minister, backtracks on corporate tax rate

Proposed budget "went further and faster than markets were expecting," PM claims.

Published: October 14, 2022 11:07am

Updated: October 14, 2022 3:49pm

British Prime Minister Liz Truss on Friday announced she had fired her chief finance minister and was backtracking on a controversial tax policy that had generated controversy when she proposed it just last month. 

Truss said during a news conference on Friday that former Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng had left her administration. "My priority is making sure we deliver the economic stability that our country needs," she told reporters. 

The prime minister said the government would raise corporate tax rates on British companies to the tune of around £18 billion, a reversal from last month when she said no hike was forthcoming. 

Truss said she had asked MP Jeremy Hunt to serve as her new finance minister. 

"He is one of the most experienced and widely respected government ministers and parliamentarians," Truss said. "And he shares my convictions and ambitions for our country."

 

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News