JOHN McDONNELL called on the Tories step aside and make way for a Labour government to rebuild the economy after figures yesterday showed inflation has hit a four-year high.

The shadow chancellor warned that the country “cannot afford more of the same from Theresa May and her party,” as union leaders called for an end to the public-sector pay freeze that has seen wages fall far behind living costs.

GMB general secretary Tim Roache urged the Prime Minister to learn from her “election embarrassment” and said the Tories’ economic credibility “lies in tatters.”