Lucy Powell says Labour must stand by promise not to raise key taxes

"Powell, who left Keir Starmer's cabinet in the reshuffle before being elected deputy leader last month, said the budget needed to be about putting more money, not less, into ordinary people's pockets. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Powell said: It's really important we stand by the promises we were elected on and do what we said we would do. She added: We should be following through on our manifesto, of course. There's no question about that."

"Powell also said the two-child benefit cap should be lifted and it should be lifted in full as a matter of urgency. Every year that passes with this policy in place, another 40,000 minimum, 40,000 children, are pushed into deep levels of poverty as a result of it and that's why it is urgent that we do lift it and we lift it in full."

Labour's deputy leader insisted the government must uphold the manifesto commitment not to raise income tax, national insurance, or VAT, arguing the budget should put more money into ordinary people's pockets. The deputy leader demanded the two-child benefit cap be lifted in full and urgently, warning that each year it remains another 40,000 children are pushed into deep poverty. The comments create tension with the chancellor and party leader, who have recently declined to repeat the pledge. The government is exploring raising income tax to fill a £30bn gap in public finances and to create an additional buffer for potential shocks.

Read at www.theguardian.com