A government minister has refused to rule out raising taxes for higher earners.
Stephen Kinnock dodged the question nine times when Sky News’ Kay Burley asked whether people who earn more than £100,000 a year are “working people”, under Labour’s definition.
Labour’s manifesto pledged not to raise national insurance, VAT or income tax for “working people”.
However, the party has not revealed its exact definition of “working people”, raising concern it is getting ready to hike up taxes for certain groups at the budget on 30 October, including those who earn more than £100,000.
At present, people who earn between £50,271 and £125,140 pay 40% tax on that income and those who earn more than that pay 45%. People who earn more than £100,000 also currently have smaller personal allowances.
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Health Secretary Wes Streeting, talking to Sky News’ Trevor Phillips on Sunday, warned high earners should not expect help at the budget, suggesting it would focus on “people who are on lower or middle incomes”.
Pressed on that today, health minister Mr Kinnock said he would not speculate and added: “The chancellor will set this out on 30 October.”
He insisted the government would “not be breaking any of those manifesto commitments”.
The definition of “working people”, he said, has “to be seen in the round and that’s what’s going to be put on the table on 30 October”.
He added Chancellor Rachel Reeves will make the definition of working people “absolutely clear” during her budget announcement.
Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman, when asked…
