The prospect of a shock income tax cut has emerged after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt failed to rule it out.
Mr Hunt said he wanted to put the country on "a path to lower taxes" but would "only do so in a responsible way" as he prepares to unveil his autumn statement on Wednesday.
It was thought the Chancellor would propose a cut in inheritance tax, but a backlash from Conservative MPs in the 'red wall' north of England appears to have prompted a rethink.
Mr Hunt and Mr Sunak have been told that such a decision would be seen as ...