Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has insisted Labour MPs are not looking to raise taxes to fund more benefits, following the release of embarrassing WhatsApp messages between work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden and Peter Mandelson. The messages, made public as part of a tranche of information relating to Mandelson's brief appointment as UK ambassador to the US, showed McFadden complaining that meetings focused on taxing people to pay benefits to others.
Thomas-Symonds acknowledged the messages were embarrassing but said they were released due to the government's commitment to comply with a humble address motion passed by MPs in February. He confirmed he had not released his own messages because his phone was stolen, but had verbally described them to the Cabinet Office.
Asked about McFadden's comments, Thomas-Symonds said it was not his experience that Labour MPs were demanding tax rises for benefits, and stressed McFadden's focus on helping people find work opportunities rather than welfare. He pointed to the recent report by former health secretary Alan Milburn on tackling youth unemployment as evidence of the party's unity on this issue.
Thomas-Symonds also addressed the rising welfare bill, attributing it to increases in the state pension and the triple lock commitment, which he said he was proud of. On Mandelson's relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein, Thomas-Symonds said he was shocked by the depth and darkness of the friendship, which came to light last September and led to Mandelson's sacking.
