Show of unity from May and Hammond ahead of Conservative manifesto launch

Theresa May and Philip Hammond made a concerted effort to present a united front today, as they launched a fresh attack on Labour's plans to introduce a raft of new taxes on business and high earners.
Theresa May and Philip HammondTheresa May and Philip Hammond
Theresa May and Philip Hammond

In a joint appearance in Canary Wharf - the heart of London's financial sector - the pair dismissed suggestions of tensions between Number 10 and the Treasury as they sought to reenforce their offer of strong leadership and economic credibility.

The Prime Minister also played down claims that Britain's pending departure from the EU is to blame for the declining value of the pound, which has seen inflation outstrip wage increase for the first time since 2013.

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Mrs May went on to warn that the impact of Brexit would be worse under a Labour government, whose plans to increase corporation tax and borrow billions to invest in infrastructure she said would "destroy" the economy.

The show of unity by the Prime Minister and the Chancellor follows reports of clashes between their two departments, particularly over the party's tax and defence policies.

A recent article in The Times newspaper suggests relations between the two sides began deteriorating in the wake of the disastrous National Insurance announcement in the Spring Budget, with subsequent disagreements over energy price caps and pensions.

Quizzed about their working relationship by reporters, both Mrs May and Mr Hammond tried to laugh off the allegations, with the Chancellor dismissing the reports as "tittle tattle".

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But when pressed to confirm whether Mr Hammond would retain his position at the Treasury after the election, Mrs May said only that "I and every other member of my team are focused on June 8".

Mr Hammond added that the pair "work very closely together" and "have known each other for many, many years".

He told the press conference: "We do work very well together as a team. All this media tittle tattle is just that, media tittle tattle."

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