News from Labour Matters

Labour question Osborne’s judgement, brand ‘leaked’ tax claims “false”

Labour hit back at claims made by George Osborne that Labour has secret plans to increase income tax after the next election, calling them “false” and questioning the Shadow Chancellor’s judgement.

Osborne claims that leaked documents show income tax increasing in 2011-12, when instead it shows the results of recovery from the recession.

Labour’s Liam Byrne MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:

“These government tax projections simply set out what is raised by our existing published measures as the economy returns to growth. No more, no less. This creates serious questions over George Osborne’s judgement. The shadow chancellor needs to answer why he is trying to mislead the British people.”

Lib Dem MP Vince Cable also backed Labour, rubbishing Osborne’s false assumption, saying that the Conservatives were “putting two and two together and making five”.

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