May backs down on controversial pre-Brexit Budget

London

BRITISH Prime Minister Theresa May has been forced to back down on the latest controversial Budget following a rebellion by Tory MPs.

Britain's cautious pre-Brexit Budget was widely criticised for a £2 billion (S$3.5 billion) tax raid on self-employed business people, including entrepreneurs, artisans and cabbies. Ahead of the expected start of Brexit negotiations in the coming weeks, Conservative MPs, the press and economic critics complained that the Tory government has backtracked on a pledge not to raise national insurance contributions.