Andy Burnham has ruled out calling a snap general election despite Labour’s improved poll ratings, while leaving open the possibility of tax rises in the autumn Budget after stating that Britain is in a “challenging position”.
The Prime Minister, speaking from Ukraine on Monday, said he would “honour” the party’s 2024 manifesto pledges that ruled out increases in National Insurance, income tax or VAT. He did not give an absolute guarantee that households would face no higher taxes to fund priorities, including housing, social care and defence.
Tax questions in interviews
Asked by ITV News whether the public would have to accept paying more tax to tackle the issues he has highlighted, Mr Burnham replied: “No, they don’t necessarily have to accept that.” He said he would not be “unrealistic” about the help he could offer with the cost of living and “won’t take risks with people’s jobs or their livelihoods”.
He added: “We are in a challenging position. Whatever I do will be carefully thought through, it will be funded and there will be more to come as we go into the autumn.”
In a separate interview with LBC, the Prime Minister was asked again whether people should expect higher taxes in the October Budget. He said: “No… We have a manifesto, and I will honour that manifesto. I believe it’s possible to provide extra help for people with the cost of living by changing some of our priorities.”
No early election
Mr Burnham also rejected suggestions that he might seek a fresh mandate by calling an early election to capitalise on improved Labour poll ratings. He said: “I am ruling that out right in front of you.”
He stated that he had “clear plans” that would restore hope but did not provide detailed figures on how additional spending would be financed.
Conservative criticism
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride told the Mail: “Andy Burnham became PM without a plan and has been unable to say where the money is coming from to pay for his commitments, so is now staring down the inevitable barrel of tax rises. It doesn’t matter who is in charge, it is the Labour Party itself that’s the problem. As the welfare secretary Pat McFadden said, all they want is to raise taxes to fund more benefits.”
Mr Burnham’s comments on tax have prompted Conservative claims that the Government is preparing for revenue-raising measures. He has restated the manifesto commitments on National Insurance, income tax and VAT, but has not ruled out other forms of tax increase, threshold freezes or alternative levies.
By confirming he will not call an early election, the Prime Minister has indicated he will proceed with the existing parliamentary mandate. The October Budget will therefore be set against the fiscal constraints he described as “challenging”, with competing pressures on defence, housing and social care. Officials have yet to publish detailed costings for the additional support Mr Burnham has said he intends to provide.
