The spending cuts that are buried in the chancellor’s budget are even larger than first thought and could lead to a “second, sharp dose of austerity”, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).
After studying the details of Rishi Sunak’s plans, the IFS said: “Most likely these figures are simply unrealistic, and borrowing or taxes will be higher than planned.
“If they are adhered to then many public services are due a second, sharp dose of austerity,” it added.
The government is also under pressure after leading charities condemned a reported Home Office plan to send asylum seekers to processing centres overseas, branding the proposal as “inhumane”.
Priti Patel wants to set up asylum facilities abroad in an attempt to overhaul the immigration system, with possible locations including Gibraltar and the Isle of Man, according to The Times.
Enver Solomon, who runs the Refugee Council charity, told the newspaper that was “an inhumane policy”, while the British Red Cross said it would have “grave humanitarian consequences”.
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