Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has launched a blistering attack on the government, accusing the Treasury of deliberately concealing analysis on the Conservative Party's tax and spending commitments. The allegation throws a stark light on the battle over economic credibility just weeks before the nation heads to the polls.
In a letter seen by The Independent, Reeves demanded that the permanent secretary to the Treasury, James Bowler, release any official analysis conducted on the costings of the governing party's pledges. This move dramatically escalates the political row over fiscal transparency.
Government Denies Allegations of Secrecy
The government has swiftly hit back, with a Treasury source stating, "As is the long-established convention across multiple governments, the civil service does not cost opposition party policies." They further asserted that "all costings for government proposals are published."
This rebuttal points to a long-standing protocol known as 'purdah', the pre-election period where civil service resources are not used to analyse opposition policies. However, Reeves's claim specifically targets analysis that may have been done on the government's own policies, which would fall outside this convention.
Labour's Push for Transparency
Reeves's letter underscores a central Labour strategy: to frame the Conservatives as fiscally irresponsible and opaque. "The public have a right to see the analysis the Treasury has undertaken into the government's plans," she wrote.
This demand for clarity is a direct challenge to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who have repeatedly questioned Labour's own spending plans. By turning the spotlight back on the Tories, Labour aims to shift the narrative and put the government's economic record under intense scrutiny.
The outcome of this clash could be pivotal, influencing undecided voters who list the economy and tax as their top priorities. With both parties trading accusations over a £2,000 tax hike figure, the release of any official Treasury documents would significantly impact the election's final days.
