After weeks of preparing to break their manifesto pledge, Starmer and Reeves have ditched their plans to raise income tax.

They’re scared it would have angered their MPs and voters, amid a dire performance in the polls.

How will Reeves plug the £30 billion gap in public finances if she doesn’t raise income tax?

Oli Dugmore is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Will Dunn to discuss.

READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/morning-call/2025/11/whats-behind-labours-income-tax-u-turn

LISTEN AD-FREE:

📱Download the New Statesman app

MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:

❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday

✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday

JOIN US:

⭐️ Get full access to all our reporting and analysis with a print + digital subscription

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is Rachel Reeves u-turning on income tax?

The Politics Show