The Chancellor of the Exchequer has explained the Prime Minister’s comments about building back after the coronavirus pandemic.
Rishi Sunak appeared in an extended interview with Andrew Neil on the new television station GB News. The interview covered the Chancellor’s plans to balance fiscal responsibility with public spending and especially after the increase in spending caused by the pandemic.
During the interview, Mr Neil asked the Chancellor to explain the comments of the Prime Minister during the G7 summit in Cornwall last week.
During the meeting while discussing building back after covid, Boris Johnson said: “We’re building back better together. And building back greener. And building back fairer. And building back more equal.
“Maybe in a more gender-neutral, a more feminine, way.”
Andrew Neil questioned Mr Sunak on this quote by asking: “The Prime Minister told the G7 that he wanted to build back Britain in a more gender-neutral and feminine way. Can you explain what that means for economic policy?”
Mr Sunak responded to the question by saying:
“Well, I thought of it differently. When you think about lockdowns, one of the hidden tragedies of lockdown has been the increase in domestic violence and domestic abuse that has been suffered by women. So one thing we are doing as we think about our recovery is investing more to give local Councils the ability to support those victims and give them the support and shelter they need. And that’s the right thing to do.”
He continued: “Regarding the economic outlook for woman, surprisingly actually there is some data out today which shows they have not been as badly impacted as we all worried about at the beginning of the crisis. And I’d like to think that part of that is because the plan we put in place is working. We know that woman disproportionately work in sectors like hospitality, which were most affected, which is why we stepped in to support those jobs the best we can.
“The data out today shows that that has largely succeeded.”
Mr Neil questioned Mr Sunak again: “So why is he talking about a more feminine way?”
The Chancellor answered: “Well, I think it is just to carry on the work we were doing.”
