UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has blamed the opposition for the state of the economy. Photo: AP PHOTO

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declined to commit to a previous pledge not to raise taxes on working people ahead of a budget next month, saying upcoming forecasts would show the economy was in a worse state than thought.

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Economists have said finance minister Rachel Reeves may have to break the government's promise and raise income tax, a move that would break the commitment Labour made to voters ahead of the election in 2024.

Conservative Party opposition leader Kemi Badenoch

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