‘We had no alternative’: Reeves to defend her budget to the CBI
GuardianNov 24
UK: Starmer Refuses to Rule Out Future Tax Raises
Above: Prime Minister Keir Starmer stands in Downing Street prior to giving an interview to the BBC and before the weekly Cabinet meeting, on Oct. 15, 2024 in London, England. Image copyright: Peter Nicholls/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated that he cannot rule out future tax increases, despite Chancellor Rachel Reeves previously stating that she is "not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes."
Starmer stated that while tax rises were not planned, the Prime Minister couldn't rule out "circumstances unforeseen in the future that wouldn't lead to any change at all."
The Spin
Left narrative
Barring an unexpected disaster, tax raises were a necessary one-off approach to restoring stability and addressing long-term challenges. Reeves' commitment to fixing the "black hole" in public finances, while sparing working people from further tax burdens, shows decisive leadership. Businesses may face short-term pain, but her emphasis on funding vital public services like the National Health Service and education lays the groundwork for sustainable growth.
Right narrative
Labour's wavering on tax promises underscores a troubling lack of clarity in its fiscal strategy. Despite Rachel Reeves' earlier assurance against further tax hikes, Keir Starmer's refusal to rule them out fuels skepticism about Labour’s economic credibility. This inconsistency risks further eroding public trust and heightening business uncertainty — which is already strained by the recent national insurance hike.