PM: BUCKLE UP! BRITAIN IS READY FOR ECONOMIC TAKE OFF

AN upbeat Rishi Sunak brushed off polling blues and declared the economy would "really take off" as "workers and strivers" are rewarded with tax cuts today.

- Michael Knowles

This "second big cut" in the National Insurance rate, saving the average worker £900 a year, is proof that "things are looking brighter," he said.

With inflation falling, the Prime Minister is confident interest rates will soon be cut, easing mortgage pain for millions of households.

Pensioners will also benefit by up to £900 this month as the triple lock increase strongly defended by the Daily Express raises the state pension to £11,500.

Some 27 million working people will have more money in their pocket thanks to National Insurance being cut to 8%, according to the Treasury.

Mr Sunak, who shrugged off being bowled out by a child as he took part in a community cricket session yesterday, declared: "This is the right approach, because fundamentally I believe National Insurance is unfair.

"It means those who work pay a through income tax double tax and National Insurance.

"So, today is a really important day to show we're backing the workers and strivers and we're finally getting our country back on track after the double whammy of Covid and Ukraine.

"There is now no doubt that things are looking brighter - inflation is falling, wages are rising and taxes are being slashed.

"That's the Conservative way and that's how Britain's economy will really take off." Since January, the main rate of employee National Insurance has been cut from 12% to 8%.