Keir Starmer addresses fears he will raise income tax, National Insurance and VAT
Sir Keir Starmer released the Labour Party's manifesto today after facing tough questions about tax during the General Election campaign.
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has pledged not to hike income tax if his party wins the General Election.
He said in announcing the party's manifesto: "We will not raise income tax, we will not raise National Insurance, we will not raise VAT - that's a manifesto commitment."
The manifesto document states: "The Conservatives have raised the tax burden to a 70-year high.
"We will ensure taxes on working peopleare kept as low as possible. Labour will not increase taxes on working people, which is why we will not increase National Insurance, thebasic, higher, or additional rates of income tax or VAT."
Labour are also planning to cap corporation tax at the current 25 percent.
The Conservative Party also set out their manifesto this week, including plans for another 2p cut in National Insurance.
While in Government, the Conservatives previously reduced National Insurance by 2p on two occassions, reducing taxes by £900 a year for the average worker.
Rishi Sunak said that if re-elected they will have halved the tax by 2027 down to six percent, saving workers on the average salary of £35,000 a total of £1,350 a year.
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The Conservatives also reiterated their "long term plans" to get rid of National Insurance. Their manifesto states: "If you vote to stick with the plan, Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives have set out our long-term ambition to abolish National Insurance entirely.
"So we’ll end the unfair double tax on work and support the workers who keep our economy going."
A costings document in the Conservative manifesto set out that they want to reduce taxes by £6.2billion in the 2025 to 2026 tax year, rising to £17.2billion in tax cuts in the 2029 to 2030 tax year.
Reform UK have also set out sweeping tax plans, with a proposal to reform inheritance tax so it only applies to those with an estate worth £2million or more.
The party led by Nigel Farage is also planning to halve the tax rate for the current 40 percent to 20 percent with an "option to donate to charity instead".
There were rumours the Conservatives would scrap the tax during the previous Parliament or would announce the policy move in their manifesto, but they have yet to back its removal.
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