‘Tough’ budget decisions

THE Prime Minister has declined to rule out increasing employers' national insurance contributions at the Budget but insisted Labour would keep its promise not to raise taxes on "working people" In an interview with the BBC, Sir Keir Starmer warned again that October 30 would bring a "tough" Budget amid speculation that Chancellor Rachel Reeves could announce more tax rises than those included in Labour's manifesto.

That manifesto included a promise not to raise taxes on "working people", including income tax, VAT and national insurance.

But the Government has faced questions on whether the commitment not to raise national insurance-covered employers' contributions as well as those by employees.

Yesterday, Sir Keir declined to rule out raising employers' contributions, saying Labour had been "very clear in the manifesto that we wouldn't be increasing tax on working people".