Keir Starmer has refused to rule out increasing income tax or VAT.

Keir Starmer dodged questions on whether the government would raise income tax, VAT or national insurance, the clearest sign yet that the government is looking at breaking key Labour manifesto commitments on taxes.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Kemi Badenoch grilled Starmer on whether Rachel Reeves was laying the groundwork for an income tax raid next month.

In response, Starmer said: “Finally she’s talking about the UK economy.

“Retail sales are higher than expected, inflation is lower than expected, growth [forecasts] have been upgraded, the stock market is at an all time high.”

“We will build a stronger economy.”

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