Labour demands recall of Parliament after Kwarteng’s mini-budget triggers chaos

Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng faced demands from the main opposition parties to recall the House of Commons in an attempt to calm markets following the chaos unleashed by the Chancellor’s mini-budget.

The Bank of England was forced to take emergency action, buying up long-term Government bonds because of a “material risk to UK financial stability”, while the International Monetary Fund urged the Chancellor to change course.

The government has lost control of the economy. It’s going to mean higher mortgages and higher prices.

And what for?

Unfunded tax cuts for the one per cent.

They must recall parliament today and abandon this act of economic self-harm.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 28, 2022

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said MPs should return to Westminster to allow Mr Kwarteng to abandon his strategy “before any more damage is done”.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Commons should be immediately recalled from its break for the party conferences with the UK being in the grip of a “rapidly deteriorating economic crisis”.

And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Liz Truss has 24 hours to fix this economic disaster and prevent people losing their homes.

UK in grip of rapidly deteriorating economic crisis. Emergency intervention by @bankofengland to reduce damage of UK gov own policies extraordinary.Commons should be immediately recalled (where even is PM?) & as at least an initial symbol of sense, top tax rate abolition dumped

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 28, 2022

“Now is the time for the Prime Minister to recall Parliament to reassure not just the financial markets, but also British homeowners at risk of higher mortgage costs.”

MPs are not due to return to Westminster until October 11 following the break for the party conferences.

The Chancellor is due to address the Tory conference in Birmingham on Monday but faced calls to speak to the nation before that.

Sir Keir said: “The move by the Bank of England is very serious.

“And I think many people will now be extremely worried about their mortgage, about prices going up and now about their pensions.

“The Government has clearly lost control of the economy.”

Their decisions will cause higher inflation and higher interest rates – and are not a credible plan for growth.

The Chancellor must make an urgent statement on how he is going to fix the crisis that he has made.

— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) September 28, 2022

He added: “What the Government needs to do now is recall Parliament and abandon this budget before any more damage is done.”

Parliament will only be recalled if the Government requests it.