"The public finances would be looking healthier had it not been for Hunt’s decision to cut employee national insurance contributions in both last year’s autumn statement and this year’s budget. The reductions were the main reason why compulsory social contributions were £1.1bn lower at £13.8bn last month than a year earlier."

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https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/aug/21/rachel-reeves-ons-public-finances-report-harsh-budget