"We have to be honest": New Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's warning as he promises to get economy back on track

Jeremy Hunt has fired a warning to the country as he looks to get the economy in order after a chaotic three weeks in Parliament. The former Health Secretary and 2019 Conservative leadership hopeful was named Chancellor of the Exchequer by Liz Truss yesterday (October 14).

It followed a turbulent few weeks for the new Prime Minister and her Government, following her previous Chancellor's so-called 'mini-budget'. Kwasi Kwarteng's announcement on September 23 revealed a number of tax-cutting measures designed to get the economy growing.

But the measures - announced without details on how they would be funded - spooked the markets. The pound has been volatile, crashing moments after the announcement, before mortgage interest rates soared.

READ MORE: Manchester United player Mason Greenwood charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning ABH

With the Conservative Party's rating in the polls crumbling in recent weeks, Ms Truss sacked Mr Kwarteng as Chancellor on Friday, after just 38 days in the job. Tonight (Saturday), his successor is promising to continue plans to grow the economy.

But Mr Hunt believes the previous proposals were too hasty - and he is warning people in the UK of 'difficult' economic decisions to come. In a statement, Mr Hunt said: "My focus is on growth underpinned by stability.

"The drive on growing the economy is right - it means more people can get good jobs, new businesses can thrive and we can secure world class public services. But we went too far, too fast.

"We have to be honest with people and we are going to have to take some very difficult decisions both on spending and on tax to get debt falling but the top of our minds when making these