UK Economy: Rishi Sunak promises ‘fairness at the heart’ of new budget

Rishi Sunak has backed down on a Tory leadership campaign pledge to fine patients who miss GP and hospital appointments £10.

A No 10 spokeswoman said on Friday: “The PM wants to deliver a stronger NHS and the sentiment remains that people should not be missing their appointments and taking up NHS time.

“But we have listened to GPs and health leaders, and have acknowledged that now is not the right time to take this policy forward.”

Health unions had previously criticised the plans as unworkable, claiming that the cost of administrating the policy would cancel out the amount of funds that it brings in.

During the Tory leadership campaign, Mr Sunak vowed to introduce a temporary £10 charge for patients who failed to turn up for an appointment without providing notice.

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Evening Standard on socials:

[taylormartyn]

Fairness would be taxing the rich and corporations making billions. And leaving the rest of us to suffer through, without suffering even more.

[mynameisdudge]

I will never ever EVER trust a Tory. No matter what.

[raoulmoat]

'Fairness'?? Like the 'fair' way you were installed like a dictator?

[aaronstafford]

It isn’t as simple as just taxing the rich. If you tax the high earners they will move countries, to a lower tax bracket and in doing so take jobs from employees who work for them. There is a balance that needs to be struck and it’s been out of whack for decades.
I am encouraged to hear our new PM say that fairness is a key factor in deciding this budget, I understand we are in for tough times all of us so I hope he strikes a fair deal

[DH-zpbc]

It's like a man's head on a school boys body.

[captainchaos]

I think we all know we'll have to tighten our belts for a while, but it'll be worth it in the long run.

[liamhickey]

Sunny Sunak. An honours graduate of the Tony Blair academy of sincerity.

[jenih]

Fairness at the heart, protect the most vulnerable, does that mean he will be honouring the triple lock for pensioners then?

[lawsonmarch]

He can make sure that vunerable pensioners on pension credit get the inflation rise or there wil be many destitute pensioners through no fault of their own.

[peakyblinder]

Why is he sat down while being interviewed ? 🤔

[clivewalker]

My Wife has just visited Hospital for an Appointment, £20 Taxi Fares, Appointment cancelled ...And, when did any Politican stand by their Pledges ?

[Justthetruth]

He is here to fix issues everyone else has created..

[jojomojo]

Damn I want to be on the ward that he is on! Because mine is a chaos 😅

[andrewlane]

‘fairness at the heart we are talking about the Tories all they have done is play musical chairs they are still the same lot

[keithjohnson]

Keep going Sir don't let them win the people who don't want the UK to win out of the EU.

[ftsetradersteve]

There won't be fairness because it isn't possible.... Tax revenues have to come from the many not the few the numbers would not add up otherwise.... So if you are on PAYE you will get hit hardest.... It is the way it has always worked and always will... Of course it helps heal a few wounds if the rich get taxed a bit more but that's all it does.... So he is already speaking with a forked tongue....He can't fix illegal migration either.... Wasting more time and taxpayers money on the French side of the Channel... Macron must be laughing at him....!!!

[J-PoN]

Tory’s are finished we know this Tory’s know this

[stevensimons]

Seems to me personally you have been elected via poll of your own constant's, bypassing the 4 year. Call on parliamentary constituency, that EVERY human in this country has, I served EVERY politician, YOU were elected PM by your own people, NOT the mass.,

[rolandpotter]

Good old Rishi! When the S..t hit the fan in the covid crisis his policies kept people in jobs and businesses solvent.

[The_mad_turk]

Got Brexit done! You can’t fix the economy anymore!