Why Rachel Reeves now claims there have been ‘too many’ leaks forward of the Budget
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has hit out over the leaks which came out ahead of her controversial Budget in November
Everything you need to know about what Rachel Reeves claims about Budget leaks
- Rachel Reeves has accepted that there were “too many” leaks ahead of her Grinch-budget.
- The Chancellor described the leaks as “unacceptable”, “inaccurate” and “very damaging”. She told MPs sitting on the Treasury select committee: “It was not an off-the-record briefing, it was a leak.”
- Before the Budget, the Chancellor had fuelled speculation she was preparing to raise income tax, suggesting that sticking to Labour’s manifesto promises, which included a pledge not to hike income tax, would only be possible with “deep cuts” to public investment.
- But a leak later revealed the proposal to increase income tax rates had been dropped.
- Ms Reeves told the committee that she and PM Sir Keir Starmer had decided “as a team” not to raise the rate. She added that an inquiry was due to take place, and permanent secretary James Bowler confirmed the leak probe would include ministers as well as officials and advisers.
- READ FULL STORY: Rachel Reeves admits there were too many ‘very damaging’ leaks ahead of budget
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