A punch that landed Labour fights tax claim but why didn't Starmer? -

Labour mobilised a frantic counterattack on Rishi Sunak yesterday as it attempted to rebut misleading claims about potential tax rises, linking the prime minister's words to his conduct over Partygate and calling him a liar.

- Jessica Elgot, Peter Walker

There was widespread unease in the party last night, including among shadow ministers and senior MPs, that Starmer had not effectively challenged Sunak's claim that Labour's spending plans would cause taxes to rise by £2,094 for each working household, according to what he said were independent civil service costings.

Several MPs said they were "horrified" by his failure to comprehensively deal with the tax allegations during the debate, which one described as the first clear attack that the Tories had landed. Shadow ministers knew they had to get immediately on the offensive. "We know we need to deal with it quickly," said one shadow cabinet aide.

Yesterday Labour produced a letter from the permanent secretary to the Treasury, James Bowler, which warned that the tax calculations should not be portrayed as the work of civil servants contradicting Sunak. That letter now gives Labour MPS and spinners a tool to say Sunak has been misleading.

Labour insiders say the exchanges have given them licence to go harder at Sunak and to use harsher language. They also intend to use the moment as an excuse to bring up Partygate - linking another moment where they will say Sunak has been less than straightforward, about Covid rulebreaking in No 10.