"The evidence is clear, and plain for all to see, there is simply no reason or excuse to raise taxes'

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves has "no reason or excuse" to raise taxes and is presiding over an economic con, her predecessor said.

- Katie Harris and Michael Knowles

Jeremy Hunt's stinging criticism comes as Ms Reeves is set to hike inheritance and capital gains tax in her October 30 Budget - after fuelling Government borrowing costs with her public sector pay bonanza.

She is expected to ignore betterthan-expected growth growth figures, improving retail sales and low inflation, and inflict yet more pain on cash-strapped families.

Writing in the Daily Express today, Mr Hunt, now Shadow Chancellor, says: "Just last week, we saw two sets of positive economic news with inflation remaining low and GDP figures confirming that our strong and resilient economy continues to grow with some economists even describing it as 'gangbusters'.

"But what has the Chancellor's response been? To continue to try and talk down the economy in a desperate attempt to bend reality to try and fit her narrative.

"Shouldn't it be a Chancellor's job to promote the UK economy? "The evidence is clear and plain for all to see: there is simply no reason or excuse to raise taxes.

"These are tax rises she has planned right from the beginning, but simply did not have the cour age to tell the British public about during the election."

Shadow Chief Secretary Laura Trott added: "By delivering inflation-busting pay rises, Rachel Reeves has made clear her fabricated narrative on public finances simply does not add up and the public can see that.