Fianna Fáil put pressure on McGrath to cut USC 

Finance Minister Michael McGrath told his party colleagues that he would bring in a 'fair and progressive tax package' and would 'mind the economy'. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

Fianna Fáil TDs and senators have pushed Finance Minister Michael McGrath to cut the Universal Social Charge (USC) in this October's Budget.

Imposed during the economic crash in the last decade, the USC has been earmarked by Fianna Fáil as a way to cut taxes for lower-paid workers as opposed to a tax-cut for middle-income workers as desired by Fine Gael.