Jeremy Hunt announced today he is reversing "almost all" of the tax cuts announced in Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget. The new chancellor, who accepted the job on Friday, also revealed he is scaling back support on energy bills and shelved a 1p cut to income tax indefinitely.
Mr Hunt said the government's flagship energy price guarantee will only be universal until April - not for two years as originally planned, and announced billions of pounds worth of tax and spending changes. It reversed many of the tax measures announced just a few weeks ago, ahead of an emergency statement to the Commons this afternoon.
The Chancellor, who is most known for his stint as health secretary, was first given a senior role in 2005 when he appointed Shadow Minister for Disabled People.
In July 2007 he was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, before becoming Secretary of State for Health in a 2012 Cabinet reshuffle.
Hunt married his wife Lucia in July 2009 and they have a son and a daughter.
We've taken a look at some of his lesser-known moments as the MP for South West Surrey takes on a new vital role - and immediately delivers a huge U-turn.
Stephen Hawking row
In 2017, Hunt clashed with Professor Stephen Hawking about the NHS - after the famous scientist claimed he "abused” scientific research to justify the creation of a seven-day NHS.
Hawking, who had motor neurone disease, accused the then Health Secretary of "cherry-picking” evidence to suit his argument.
He added that he "would not be here today if it were not for the service” and accused the Conservatives of putting the NHS in crisis.
Hawking wrote in the Guardian : "Hunt’s statement that funding and the number of doctors and nurses are at an all-time high is a distraction.
"Record funding is not the same thing as adequate funding. There is overwhelming evidence that NHS funding and the numbers of doctors and nurses are inadequate, and it is getting worse.”
"As a patient who has spent a lot of time in hospital, I would welcome improved services at the weekend. For this, we need a scientific assessment of the benefits of a seven-day service and of the resources required, not misrepresentation of research.”
In tweets Hunt laid out his rejection of Hawking's claims - and received some rather cheeky responses. One person wrote: "Perhaps you would like to tell Gordon Ramsey how to make a Shepard's pie whilst [you're] at it?"
Another added: "Now who do you think we will trust on this? Im with the cleverest man on the planet. Which in not a list you will be anywhere near."
The £44,000 toilet
What do you think of the Government's latest U-turn? Have your say in the comment section below.
Jeremy Hunt was forced to speak out after a £44,000 toilet and shower was installed in his penthouse office.
The Tory, at the time looking to make £22billion in NHS cuts, hit back after reports about the private bathroom suite that was installed at the Department of Health's offices in Victoria, central London appeared in the press.
It was initially claimed that he would use the new facilities to "freshen up" after cycling in to work. Addressing the claims, Hunt tweeted: "Story totally false. True, I requested shower for long-distance cyclists in new Dept Health offices. False it was for my own use.
"My cycle to work only 10 minutes, so no need to 'freshen up' as story elegantly says. But let's encourage cyclists."
At the time, a spokeswoman for the Department said: "The Health Secretary has not approved any costs relating to the department's new building.
"But he has requested facilities for all cyclists and runners in line with those the department currently has."
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