Rish Sunak has accused the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of “opening the door” to raising employer national insurance contributions and making changes to borrowing in the upcoming Autumn Budget.
Starmer was asked repeatedly by Sunak to how the Chancellor Rachel Reeves is going to unlock billions for extra spending.
Sunak highlighted that Labour clarified in their election manifesto they will not raise taxes on working people and Starmer insisted there will not be an increase to VAT, national insurance or income tax.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Sunak ridiculed Starmer saying, “I know that not everything or everyone has survived his first 100 days in Government, so can he confirm that when he promised not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT, that commitment applies to both employer and employee national insurance contributions?”
Starmer replied, “We made an absolute commitment in relation to not raising tax on working people.
“He, of course, was the expert’s expert on raising taxes. What did we get in return for it?
“We got a broken economy, broken public services, and a £22 billion black hole in the economy. We’re here to stabilise the economy, and we will do so.”
Sunak said, “I’m not asking about the Budget, I’m asking specifically about the promise he made to the British people.
“So let me ask him again, just to clarify his own promise. Does his commitment not to raise national insurance apply to both employee and employer national insurance contributions?”
Starmer said, “We set out our promises in our manifesto. We were returned with a huge majority to change the country for the better, and I stick to my promises in the manifesto.”
Sunak mocked Starmer, “When it comes to his answer on tax, businesses across the country will have found his answer just about as reassuring as Sue Gray did when he promised to protect her job.”
