"The budget is on 26 November, and we will lay out our plans, but I can tell the house now that we will build a stronger economy, we will cut NHS waiting lists and deliver a better future for our country, he said."
"That is a fascinating answer. It is not the same answer that I received when I asked exactly the same question, word for word, on 9 July. Then the prime minister replied with just one word, Yes, and then he sat down with a smug grin on his face. What's changed in the past four months?"
"As she well knows, no prime minister or chancellor will ever set out their plans. He went on to talk about growth in the economy and new trade deals, ending: They broke the economy. We're fixing it."
Keir Starmer declined to rule out tax rises ahead of the 26 November budget, avoiding a direct answer on a manifesto pledge not to raise taxes. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been in active discussions about potentially raising income tax to close an estimated shortfall of more than £30bn. Labour's manifesto promised not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pressed Starmer on whether he still stood by the promise, noting a previous one-word affirmative response on 9 July. Starmer emphasized economic growth, new trade deals and fixing the economy without specifying tax commitments.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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