Raising tax ‘inevitable to pay for Chancellor's ‘economic vandalism’

VOTERS got another warning that further tax rises are on the horizon after fresh figures dealt a new setback to Rachel Reeves's hopes of reviving the economy.

- By Christian Calgie Senior Political Correspondent

The Office for National Statistics said yesterday that economic growth had stalled, falling to just 0.3% in the second quarter of the year.

It comes as yet another blow for the Chancellor who repeatedly pledged to secure growth ahead of the General Election.

The drop from 0.7% GDP growth in quarter one leaves Britain lagging behind the US, which grew 0.7% during the same period, and tied with France. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride accused Ms Reeves of "economic vandalism", warning Express readers "nothing is safe".

He said: "At the Budget, Rachel Reeves raised taxes by £40billion and introduced a reckless Jobs Tax that has seen unemployment rise and business confidence shattered.

"The Chancellor said she wouldn't come back for more, but tax rises are coming to paper over the cracks of her economic mismanagement.

"Nothing is safe under Labour: not your job, your business, your farm, your savings or your pension. It's the same old Labour.

"Rachel Reeves is taxing your family's future to fund her failure."