WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has urged the Chancellor not to increase taxes after the last two Labour Budgets squeezed families and businesses.
The Shadow Minister for the Taxpayer made the intervention in response to John Healey’s speech this week in which he failed to set out tax or spending plans.
Dame Harriett reminded the new Chancellor that his predecessor left the tax burden at the highest level on record. Inheritance Tax, Business Rates, National Insurance, Income Tax and VAT on school fees have all increased under Labour since 2024.
Mr Healey did not rule out further tax rises in his response to Dame Harriett.
Dame Harriett said “I asked the Chancellor to increase optimism in the economy and promote growth by ruling out further tax rises. He was unable to.
“The Government’s first two Budgets under Rachel Reeves trashed business confidence, stifled growth and cost West Worcestershire jobs.
“For the upcoming Budget, Mr Healey should look at adopting Opposition proposals like the Cheap Power Plan, abolishing Stamp Duty and scrapping Business Rates for high street businesses.
“My Shadow Treasury colleagues and I will continue to pressure Ministers to take the tough decisions on tax and welfare spending to get Britain growing.”