Starmer declines to rule out manifesto-busting tax hikes

SIR Keir Starmer has declined to say he would stand by Labour's manifesto pledge not to raise VAT, income tax or national insurance in next month's Budget as he cited a grim economic backdrop.

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‘The Prime Minister said the UK Government will “lay out our plans” at the November 26 statement, as he sought to blame the previous Tory government for worse-than-expected productivity forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) fiscal watchdog.

He has previously said the commitment Labour made to voters before the 2024 general election “stands’, but failed to repeat that assurance in the Commons and his press secretary also avoided using the phrase.

Sir Keir also refused to rule out extending the freeze on the personal tax allowance threshold, which drags more earners into paying income tax.

His remarks will fuel expectations that Rachel Reeves’ Budget will involve further major tax rises as she seeks to close a multi-billion-pound gap in her plans.