Ministers have to make ‘tough choices’ says Phillipson amid Budget backlash

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ministers have to make “some really tough choices”, the Education Secretary has said, as the Prime Minister is facing backlash from some of his Cabinet over cuts that could be coming in the Budget. Bridget Phillipson said that there will be “no return to austerity” but that “we do, all of us have to make some really tough choices because of the inheritance… given to us by the Conservatives.” Concerns about the spending cuts have been raised across different Government departments, the PA news agency understands. She told the station there will be “no return to austerity” and added: “We do, all of us have to make some really tough choices because of the inheritance… given to us by the Conservatives.” She similarly told Sky News that there are “difficult choices” the Government is “having to confront” and said there have been “conversations, meetings, correspondence as part of the usual Budget process,” but would not be drawn on details. It didn’t stop me from starting and growing a successful business.” Since entering office, the Government has pointed to a “£22 billion black hole” in the UK’s finances, and the Treasury is now said to have identified a far larger £40 billion funding gap which Ms Reeves will seek to plug to protect key departments from real-terms cuts and put the economy on a firmer footing.