Rishi Sunak insisted he can get the economy growing again “this year” as he urged people to “have hope” despite bleak assessments of the UK’s finances.
The UK Prime Minister said on Thursday he could quickly turn around the nation’s fortunes after the Bank of England predicted a recession will be shorter and shallower than expected.
But the Bank hiked the base interest rate from 3.5% to 4% in an attempt to help bring double-digit inflation under control.
A day earlier, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted the UK economy will be the only major economy – including sanction-hit Russia – to plunge into recession this year.
Mr Sunak, in an interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV, insisted he could deliver the five priorities he has set for the nation.
“Grow the economy, yes, I do believe over the course of this year we’ll get the economy growing again,” the Prime Minister said.
“Reduce debt, We’ve already made some difficult decisions to ensure that that happens but we’ve got to stick to the path.”
Asked what his mantra or message to the public is, Mr Sunak said: “It’s ‘have hope’. Have hope because I can make it better, and I will make it better.
“That’s what I’m working day and night to do.”
