Jeremy Hunt has been accused of using “dodgy dossiers” to scare voters into not supporting Labour.
The Chancellor released a 19-page document on Friday which claims Labour’s policies will leave a “black hole of over £10billion a year by 2028-29”. In a pre-election speech in central London, he claimed Labour would increase taxes to pay for their plans while the Conservatives would cut them.
It is despite the Tories having overseen the tax burden rise to its highest level since World War II, while Labour has fully costed its plans. Mr Hunt also failed to provide a “cast-iron guarantee” taxes would fall under his party. He instead said he could not “look into a crystal ball and predict what’s going to happen” in the future.
The Chancellor’s political speech attacking Labour comes as the election campaign unofficially gets into gear while Rishi Sunak dithers on announcing a date. It comes a day after Labour leader Keir Starmer set out his party’s six first fully-funded steps he will take if he is elected PM.
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Mr Hunt, who stood with a backdrop saying “Labour’s Tax rises”, celebrated the Tories’ record of the last 14 years bringing more jobs, investment and growth to the country despite families dealing with higher mortgage payments, higher prices and some 25 tax rises since 2019. He fiercely attacked Labour as he said their plans would leave a £38.5billion gap over the next four years.
“Keir Starmer’s first step will not be the motherhood and apple pie we heard yesterday, but to help himself to you and your family’s wallets,” he said. “When it comes to Labour policies on jobs, welfare reform and tax, the difference if they are elected will be profound and damaging for every family in the country.” He also accused Labour of lying and of “fake news” over its attacks on the Tory’s unfunded £46billion plan to abolish national insurance.
At a speech in Essex on Thursday, Mr Starmer set out his key promises which include stabilising the economy, cutting NHS waiting times and securing the border. He also is vowing to set up publicly-owned Great British Energy, tackle anti-social behaviour and recruit 6,500 new teachers for our schools.
“I’m not going to give you gimmicks. There’s no quick fix to the mess the Tories have made of this country,” he said. “Britain will have a better future and you can choose it with Labour. Stop the chaos with Labour. Turn the page with Labour. Return politics to service with Labour. And with patience, with determination, with these first steps, we can rebuild our country.”
Responding to Mr Hunt’s speech, a Labour spokesman said: “This is another desperate attempt by the Tories to deflect from their £46 billion unfunded tax plan that could lead to higher borrowing, higher taxes on pensioners or the end of the state pension as we know it.
“All of Labour’s policies are fully costed and fully funded. Unlike the Conservatives who crashed the economy, Labour will never play fast and loose with the public finances. Jeremy Hunt would be better spent getting Rishi Sunak to confirm the date of the election, rather than putting out any more of these dodgy dossiers.”