Ahead of the Budget, most voters believe Labour is the high-tax party

MORE than half of voters think Labour will saddle them with punishing tax rises, a major poll reveals.

- Martyn Brown

The findings show Sir Keir Starmer and colleagues are overwhelmingly regarded as the party of high taxation.

Less than a third of those quizzed believe Labour will keep its promise not to raise taxes on working people.

It comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves is widely expected to take a sledgehammer to many people's finances by unleashing a £40billion raid in her Budget next Wednesday.

Pledge

Fears are mounting she could pull the trigger on a number of painful rises, including inheritance tax, stamp duty and pensions.

Ministers say Labour's manifesto pledge to help "working people" will be respected.

However, the Survation poll of more than 4,000 voters shows 55% regard Labour as the party of high tax compared with 40% who think the Conservatives are.

By contrast, the same survey in February showed 43% thought Labour were a high-tax party compared with 49% for the Tories.

Meanwhile, the cost of living remains the top concern for voters with people believing they already pay too much in taxes and duties. The respected IFS think tank has warned Ms Reeves needs to find around £25billion of increases if she wants to avoid austerity and meet Labour's manifesto commitments.