Brief
Tories urge new chancellor John Healey to keep taxes flat in upcoming budget
Conservative shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith sets five tests for the budget, including no new taxes and higher defence spending.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Conservative Party has asked Chancellor John Healey not to raise taxes when he delivers his first budget on October 28, according to standard.co.uk.
What happened
Andrew Griffith, the Conservative shadow chancellor, outlined five "tests" for the budget: cutting the deficit, slashing welfare, raising defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, boosting youth employment and, crucially, introducing no new taxes.
What the reports add
Griffith warned that Labour’s previous budgets have pushed taxes to record levels, saying families and businesses are "paying the price" and urging Healey to "stop the tax ratchet".
What was said
Griffith told standard.co.uk, "John Healey must deliver a ‘get a grip’ Budget, instead of kicking the can down the road." The Treasury spokesman replied that the chancellor is focused on "backing British jobs, giving families and businesses breathing space and driving growth".
How it came about
The demand follows recent pressure from City groups, including UK Finance and the CBI, who warned that higher taxes could drive banking firms abroad.
Key facts
- Conservatives have asked Chancellor John Healey not to raise taxes in his first budget. (standard.co.uk)
- Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith listed five budget tests, including no new taxes and raising defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030. (standard.co.uk)
- City group leaders wrote to Healey warning that higher taxes could push banks out of the UK. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Tories urge Chancellor not to raise tax in five Budget ‘tests’”
