‘Coming back for more taxes without serious cuts, especially on welfare, will ruin economy’

BRITAIN faces bankruptcy if Labour hikes taxes without cutting welfare spending, Kemi Badenoch has warned.

- BY MARTYN BROWN Political Editor

The Conservative leader accused Rachel Reeves of plotting a “stealth tax bombshell” in next week's Budget to fund a soaring welfare bill.

Mrs Badenoch urged voters to see through the “smokescreen” as she predicted the Chancellor will play the “victim” by claiming that austerity and Brexit forced her into squeezing more money out of taxpayers.

Ms Reeves is facing a make-or-break Budget as she and Sir Keir Starmer battle increasing questions over their political futures.