After fuel fiasco, Reeves rules out widows' tax on those who live alone in 'Budget to rebuild Britain'

RACHEL Reeves will not impose a "widows' tax" following the furious backlash over winter fuel cuts.

- Sam Lister

After a bruising first 81 days in government, the Chancellor will today tell Labour's conference in Liverpool there will be no return to austerity in her Budget next month.

The Express understands Ms Reeves will keep the 25% single person council tax discount after suggestions it would be ditched.

Tory critics said the move would amount to a widows' tax because it would affect many older women living alone after losing their husbands.

Many in this group already face losing their winter fuel payments.

Ms Reeves has also dismissed calls for a new wealth tax to raise cash but those cuts to the winter fuel allowance will still go ahead.

Ambition

However, the Chancellor is insistent she will deliver a Budget of "real ambition" on October 30.

She will say: "There will be no return to austerity. Conservative austerity was a destructive choice for our public services and for investment and growth too.

"We must deal with the Tory legacy and that tough decisions. But we won't let that dim our ambition for Britain.