Chancellor eyes up 2p rise in income tax
“Rachel Reeves is considering a 2p rise in income tax in a move that would breach Labour’s manifesto. The Telegraph understands that the measure is being explored by the Treasury after Sir Keir Starmer refused on Wednesday to repeat that Labour would not increase income tax, National Insurance or VAT. Ms Reeves would become the first Chancellor to raise the basic rate of income tax since the 1970s if she made the move at next month’s Budget. One option being seriously considered is simultaneously cutting National Insurance by 2p and raising income tax by 2p. The move, floated last month by the Resolution Foundation, a Left-wing think tank, would raise £6bn and hit pensioners and landlords who do not pay National Insurance.” – Daily Telegraph
- Starmer refuses to rule out raising income tax in budget – The Times
- Reeves could raise income tax by 2p – Daily Mail
- Badenoch to demand Starmer sack Reeves if she raises taxes – Daily Express
- Only full abolition of two-child benefit cap will substantially cut poverty, thinktank says – Guardian
- Slashing tax relief would shrink pension pots by £50bn, Reeves warned – Daily Telegraph
- Reeves to repeat ‘once in a parliament’ Budget raid, City predicts – Daily Telegraph
- Starmer’s right-hand man backed calls for four-day week – Daily Telegraph
- Why Reeves appears poised to break Labour’s tax manifesto pledge – Daily Telegraph
Comment
>Today:
>Yesterday:
Reeves breaks housing law by renting out family home without a licence
“Rachel Reeves has broken the law by renting out her family home without a licence since entering Downing Street. The Chancellor last night referred herself to the independent ethics adviser and had to admit her error to the Prime Minister after inquiries by the Daily Mail. Ms Reeves failed to obtain a rental licence when she placed her family home in Dulwich, south London, on the rental market last year as she moved with her family into Number 11 Downing Street. Southwark Council, the local authority, requires that private landlords in certain areas – including the one where her house is located – obtain a ‘selective’ licence to rent out their property.” – Daily Mail
- Chancellor apologises after breaking housing rules – Guardian
- Reeves admits breaking housing rules – FT
- Chancellor broke housing law over rented-out family home – Daily Telegraph
- Reeves rented out home without licence after move to No 11 – The Times
- Starmer accepts apology from Reeves – The Sun
- Should Reeves resign for breaking the law? – Daily Express
Johnson: Tories will lose if they keep ‘bashing the green agenda’
“The Conservatives will lose the next election if they keep “bashing the green agenda”, Boris Johnson has claimed. The former Tory prime minister criticised Kemi Badenoch, his successor, after she pledged to scrap Britain’s climate change law if the party regains power. During his time in Downing Street, Mr Johnson set ambitious net zero targets and oversaw the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow. He also made the case for renewable energy and tried to persuade other countries to support legally binding reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. Mr Johnson’s record on environmental issues drew criticism in some Tory circles and contrasts with the approach taken by Mrs Badenoch.” – Daily Telegraph
Survivors of grooming gangs demand apology from Farage
“Five women have asked for an apology from Nigel Farage after he suggested they were not victims of grooming gangs. They described the comments by the Reform leader as “degrading and humiliating”, and accused him of “ignorance” of the issues. Last week, they wrote to Keir Starmer saying they would only remain on a panel advising the government’s inquiry into the issue if the safeguarding minister Jess Phillips stayed in post and “anyone who believes their evidence should be included” could contribute. But Farage suggested on Monday that the women were victims of other types of child sexual abuse. A statement from the women said this had left them “feeling like we have to defend ourselves and prove that we are victims again”. – Guardian
- ‘The novelty will wear off’: Labour hopes publicity will be Farage’s downfall – Guardian
- Right wing voters in UK more anti-immigrant than Trump supporters – FT
Comment
Trump starts new nuclear arms race
“Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to begin their first nuclear tests since 1992 – just moments before the president’s pivotal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump told the Department of War to begin testing nukes ‘immediately’ and explained the military flex was necessary to combat Russia and China from closing the gap in the arms race. ‘The United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country,’ he began. ‘This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my first term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I hated to do it, but had no choice!’ He added about the arms race: ‘Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.’ – Daily Mail
- Trump orders Pentagon to ‘immediately’ start testing nuclear weapons – Daily Telegraph
- Russia tests nuclear torpedo that can flood cities with ‘radioactive tsunamis’ – Daily Telegraph
- Trump claims victory in trade talks with Xi – Daily Telegraph
Other political news
- Migrant sex offender Kebatu claims he was ‘ignored’ by police while trying to hand himself in – Sky News
- Vietnamese arrivals in UK by irregular means will be fast-tracked for deportation, says No 10 – Guardian
- Centrist comeback puts Wilders’ Dutch PM hopes in tatters – Daily Telegraph
News in Brief
