Yahoo News Chancellor Rishi Sunak poses for pre-budget photo with £180 'smart mug'
Rishi Sunak posed for the traditional pre-budget photo alongside a £180 "smart mug".
Ahead of delivering the mini-budget in the Commons on Wednesday, the Chancellor was photographed poring over the final details in his office. At his desk was an Ember Travel Mug, which retails for up to £179.95 online.
A detailed description of the product, which is reportedly a gift from his wife Akshata Murthy, says: "Designed to be used on-the-go, the new Ember Travel Mug² does more than simply keep your coffee hot.
"Our smart mug allows you to set an exact drinking temperature and keeps it there for up to three hours, so your coffee is never too hot, or too cold.”
The 355ml mug is apparently dishwasher and hand wash safe, has a leak-proof lid and includes a redesigned charging coaster. The mug is even waterproof up to a depth of one metre.
Before his speech, former chancellor Philip Hammond chose a personalised Emma Bridgewater mug to feature in the picture, emblazoned with his name.
Mr Sunak is expected to unveil plans to boost the coronavirus-crippled economy during his summer economic update.
Core to his “bold plan to protect, support and create jobs”, he will details plans to tackle youth unemployment by subsidising work placements for the under-25s.
Mr Sunak is set to announce a £2 billion fund to pay the wages of hundreds of thousands of young people as part of a three-point “kickstart scheme”.
He has also drawn up proposals to exempt most homebuyers from paying any stamp duty.
Mr Sunak is also expected to outline plans to lift the threshold at which people start paying stamp duty from £125,000 to as much as £500,000. It could be in place for six months to boost demand.
A £3 billion green investment programme will also be announced in a bid to create jobs, upgrade buildings and protect the environment.
The investment in green schemes aims to help the UK "build back greener" and meet its legally binding target to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
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