Huge tax warning as Keir Starmer refuses to rule out brutal hikes

Keir Starmer has refused rule out further tax rises this year when challenged by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. The fiery exchange came after it was revealed that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner pushed for a £4billion tax hike on wealthier people in the lead up to the Spring Statement a few months ago.

Mrs Badenoch called on the PM to rule out the tax hikes to take place at the Budget in the autumn after the bombshell memo leaked.

She said: "As if we haven't suffered enough. People out there are struggling. Businesses are struggling. People are losing their jobs. We cannot have more tax rises. Will the Prime Minister rule out new tax rises this year?"

She added: "He didn't rule it out that his cabinet is open warfare. The Deputy Prime Minister clearly calling the shots.

"What is it that we've learned we're heading for new tax rises. We know inflation is up. It's just more and more bad news from a Prime Minister who has lost control."

But Starmer refused to rule out the tax hikes during as he revealed more pensioners will be able to claim winter fuel allowance at the Budget.

John O'Connell chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Taxpayers will be rightly nervous to hear the prime minister refuse to rule out further tax rises this year.

"After clobbering small businesses and farmers, this government is now eyeing up a tax raid on savers and freezing the additional rate income tax threshold.

"Starmer should immediately make clear that future tax rises are not looming over the heads of hard-working Brits.