🔗 Share this article Treasury Chief Reeves Aims for Targeted Action on Household Expenses in Upcoming Financial Plan Treasury head Reeves has stated she is preparing "targeted action to tackle cost of living pressures" in the upcoming Budget. During an interview with the BBC, she emphasized that reducing inflation is a collective task of both the government and the central bank. The UK's price growth is forecast to be the most elevated among the G7 developed nations this year and next. Possible Utility Cost Interventions Sources suggest the government could take action to bring down energy bills, such as by reducing the current 5% level of VAT applied on energy supplies. An additional approach is to lower some of the government charges presently added to bills. Budgetary Constraints and Expert Expectations The government will receive the next assessment from the official forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility, on Monday, which will reveal how much scope there is for such measures. The view from the majority of analysts is that the Chancellor will have to introduce tax rises or expenditure reductions in order to fulfill her voluntary borrowing rules. Earlier on the same day, analysis suggested there was a £22 billion shortfall for the Treasury chief to resolve, which is at the more modest range of forecasts. "It is a shared responsibility between the central bank and the administration to continue tackling some of the sources of price increases," the Chancellor informed the BBC in the US capital, at the yearly gatherings of the IMF and World Bank. Revenue Commitments and Global Concerns While much of the focus has been on likely tax rises, the Treasury chief said the most recent figures from the fiscal watchdog had not changed her vow to campaign commitments not to increase tax levels on income tax, sales tax or social security contributions. She attributed an "uncertain global environment" with rising international and commercial concerns for the fiscal tax moves, likely to be focused on those "most able to pay." Global Trade Tensions Commenting on concerns about the UK's economic relations with China she said: "The UK's security interests always take priority." Recent statement by Chinese authorities to tighten export controls on critical minerals and other resources that are key for high-technology manufacturing led US President Donald Trump to propose an additional 100% tariff on imports from the Asian country, increasing the possibility of an full-scale trade war between the two global powers. The US Treasury Secretary described the Chinese move "economic coercion" and "a global supply chain power grab." Questioned on accepting the US offer to participate in its battle with the Asian nation, the Chancellor said she was "deeply worried" by Chinese actions and encouraged the Chinese government "to avoid restrictions and restrict access." She said the decision was "bad for the global economy and creates additional challenges." "In my view there are sectors where we should challenge China, but there are also valuable prospects to trade with China's economy, including financial services and other sectors of the economic system. We've got to maintain that equilibrium right." The chancellor also stated she was cooperating with other major economies "on our own critical minerals strategy, so that we are less reliant." Health Service Drug Costs and Funding The Chancellor also recognized that the cost the NHS pays for medicines could rise as a consequence of current negotiations with the Trump administration and its drugs companies, in return for lower tariffs and capital. Some of the biggest global pharmaceutical manufacturers have said lately that they are either delaying or scrapping investments in the UK, with some attributing the low prices they are receiving. Recently, the government science advisor said the price the NHS pays for medicines would need to increase to stop firms and pharmaceutical investment departing from the United Kingdom. The Chancellor stated to the BBC: "It has been observed because of the cost structure, that medical research, innovative medicines have not been offered in the United Kingdom in the manner that they are in other EU nations." "We want to make sure that patients getting treatment from the National Health Service are can obtain the top life-saving medicines in the world. And so we are examining these issues, and... aiming to obtain more capital into the UK."