Andy Burnham has refused to rule out tax hikes in the autumn budget, drawing a warning from Reform UK against a "tax assault on working people".
The Prime Minister insisted he "won't be unrealistic" when pressed about tax rises, adding that the country is in a "challenging position".
Speaking during a visit to Ukraine today, he told ITV News: "I won't take risks with people's jobs or livelihoods or their family finances and I will try to help them in whatever way I can. I will do what I can, but I won't be unrealistic and people really need to understand that. We are in a challenging position."
Reform UK responds
Opposition parties seized on Mr Burnham's comments, with Reform UK's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick saying: "Instead of slashing the ballooning benefits bill, scrapping foreign aid to rich countries or getting rid of mad net zero subsidies, Andy Burnham is going to raise people's taxes.
"He may talk differently, but he's exactly the same as Keir Starmer.
"The last thing this country needs is another tax assault on working people as they're already struggling with the cost of living. Reform UK will be opposing Burnham's tax rises every step of the way."
Manifesto pledge and budget date
Mr Burnham has previously said he will stand by Labour's 2024 manifesto pledge not to raise taxes for "working people".
It comes as Chancellor John Healey is preparing his first budget on October 28.
He has promised to "live with the fiscal discipline, within the fiscal rules" ahead of the highly anticipated fiscal event.
