Andy Burnham has avoided ruling out tax rises at the autumn budget during his first Commons statement as Prime Minister. Kemi Badenoch challenged Mr Burnham to guarantee there would be no further tax increases next month, but he did not directly respond to the question.
Badenoch's challenge
The Conservative leader said: "The biggest mistake Labour have made in office so far and there are quite a few to choose from is that they crushed our economy under the weight of nearly £70 billion in new taxes." She cited examples including the national insurance rise for employers and the inheritance tax raid on farmers.
Mrs Badenoch added: "He says he cares about the cost of living, Labour’s taxes have made that worse. Those taxes have cost people their jobs. Thousands of jobs in oil and gas, industry closing around the country."
Graduate market warning
She also highlighted the recruitment market for new graduates, saying it "is the worst it has ever been. There are 50% fewer vacancies than last year which was already the worst on record."
Mrs Badenoch concluded: "If he does not change course he too like every other Labour Prime Minister will leave office with unemployment higher than when he came in. So, can he guarantee here and now on the floor of this House that there will be no more tax rises in the Autumn Budget?"
Burnham's response
Mr Burnham did not rule out budget tax hikes in his reply. In her response to his statement, Mrs Badenoch confronted him on five issues including defence spending, the migrant crisis, cutting benefits and the prison early release scheme.
Mr Burnham insisted the country is "moving in the right direction". He said: "I will work with Mrs Badenoch where we can, and we should make that commitment to each other today. But I will still point out where she’s wrong, we are not in a position to take lectures when this country is moving in the right direction. You can see that on the economy, you can see that on small boat crossings, you can see that on the cost of living, and that is what we will continue to do to turn this country around."
