Downing Street suggested high earners will be protected by Labour’s manifesto pledge not to put up taxes on “working people”.
No 10 said the Government “remains committed to the manifesto pledge not to raise VAT, National Insurance, or the basic, higher or additional rates of income tax”.
It comes after Stephen Kinnock, the care minister, refused six times this morning to say whether six-figure earners would be covered.
Asked if someone earning six figures would be covered by the promise, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think when it comes to this you have got various comments from Government ministers.
“I think some of them in the election campaign and the Chancellor talked about people who go out and work and earn money through hard work and ultimately the Government remains committed to the manifesto pledge not to raise VAT, National Insurance, or the basic, higher or additional rates of income tax as part of its commitment not to increase taxes on working people.”
Asked again if someone earning six figures would be considered a working person, the spokesman said: “At the risk of repeating myself, if you look at the manifesto language, it talks about the Government not increasing taxes on working people which is why we will not increase National Insurance, the basic, higher or additional rates of income tax, or VAT.”
The additional rate – the top rate of income tax – is currently set at 45p and it kicks in on earnings above £125,140 while the higher rate of 40p applies to all earnings between £50,271 and £125,140.
Source: telegraph.co.uk