Question Time Presenter Slaps Down Labour Minister Over Budget

James Murray, the chief secretary to the Treasury, insisted the chancellor had not broken Labour’s election manifesto, which said the

That is despite the fact that Reeves extended the freeze on income tax thresholds, meaning around 1.8 million workers will pay more when they get a pay rise and are dragged into higher salary bands.

Bruce said: “How can anyone believe what you say?”

Murray replied: “Well, what it says in our manifesto is we will keep taxes on working people as low as possible.”

But the manifesto actually said: “We will ensure taxes on working people are kept as low as possible. Labour will not increase taxes on working people, which is why we will not increase National Insurance, the basic, higher, or additional rates of Income Tax, or VAT.”

Bruce told him: “It said you would not raise income tax, National Insurance or VAT. A lot more people are going to be paying a lot more income tax as they’re dragged into higher tax thresholds.”

But Murray replied: “In the Budget the chancellor was upfront that we are asking everyone to contribute more because of the threshold freeze extension.”

The presenter hit back: “So when she said she wouldn’t come back for more, she has. So that’s a broken promise.”

Watch the full exchange below: