Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pointed to sexism as a significant factor in the turmoil surrounding her upcoming Budget, making a fervent plea to restive Labour MPs to support the government's financial plans.
A Desperate Appeal for Unity
In a last-ditch effort to secure backing, Ms Reeves addressed the Parliamentary Labour Party, describing politics as a 'team sport'. She implored her colleagues to get behind the entire Budget package, which is set to be delivered tomorrow, rather than treating it as a 'pick 'n' mix' of policies. Allies revealed the Chancellor's core message was that 'united parties win elections'.
Despite this call for solidarity, she acknowledged that some backbenchers would be unhappy with elements of the proposals. She laid out her three key priorities for the Budget as: cutting the cost of living, cutting NHS waiting lists, and cutting the cost of debt.
Tax Hikes and Broken Promises
Ms Reeves conceded that workers are facing the prospect of further tax increases, a stark contrast to her explicit pledge a year ago not to seek more revenue from taxpayers. The economy has been rocked by weeks of chaotic briefings, which saw the Chancellor openly float an income tax rise before being forced into a humiliating U-turn.
Nevertheless, pain for ordinary Britons appears inevitable, with fears of 'death by a thousand tax rises' as the government attempts to fill a black hole in the public finances estimated to be as large as £35 billion. Treasury sources have all but confirmed that the controversial freeze on tax thresholds will be extended for another two years.
This 'stealth raid' is expected to raise billions by dragging millions more people into the tax system or into higher tax brackets. Financial experts have stated that continuing the freeze amounts to Labour reneging on past promises not to increase taxes on working people.
Welfare Boost and Accusations of Misogyny
Amid the difficult fiscal decisions, the Chancellor talked up her determination to scrap the two-child benefit cap. This move is part of a substantial £15 billion boost in welfare spending that she is expected to announce.
Adding to the list of reasons she has given for the new gulf in the public finances—a list that previously included Brexit, Tory austerity, and the policies of Donald Trump—Ms Reeves stated she was a victim of 'misogyny'. She hit out at 'armchair' critics who question her capability, revealing, 'I don't think even I had recognised the misogyny that still exists in public life.'
