UK’s Zahawi reflects on rise from immigrant boy to finance minister

British new Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi stands near Treasury constructing, in London, Britain, July 6, 2022. REUTERS/Phil Noble?

LONDON, July 6 (Reuters) – New British finance minister Nadhim Zahawi says his rise from “an immigrant boy” to keep the job as steward of the country’s treasury confirmed what a good country Britain was.

Zahawi was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer late on Tuesday just after a collection of ministerial resignations in protest at Primary Minister Boris Johnson’s premiership, including that of former finance minister Rising Sunak. study more

“I pinch myself each morning when I feel about the option this nation provides for an immigrant boy born in Baghdad. It is a really excellent nation,” Zahawi instructed LBC radio.

A extensive-standing member of the ruling Conservative Celebration, Zahawi, 55, was born in Iraq and moved to Britain when his Kurdish spouse and children fled the rule of Saddam Hussein in the mid-1970s. read through more

“It is really been an amazing journey. I came to this country at the age of 11, could not talk a word of English. I am now the chancellor for this great country and entrusted with the stewardship of the economy,” Zahawi claimed.

He takes about the running of an economic climate that is faced with surging inflation and power rates, a value of living crisis and strain to lower taxes in buy to help having difficulties people.

“If inflation receives out of hand, and we let self-discipline to slip in any way on pay back, general public sector or private sector … then we will fuel inflation further more and we need to bear down on inflation due to the fact that is the greatest danger, in particular to the most susceptible in our society,” Zahawi explained.

Prior to his new task, Zahawi was education and learning secretary, obtaining received plaudits for the duration of his before position as the minister in cost of the COVID-19 vaccine deployment in 2020.

Reporting by Farouq Suleiman editing by Michael Holden

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