UK Minister Cautions Against Manifesto Breach as Budget Nears

UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said party manifesto promises “matter,” suggesting support for Labour’s new deputy leader who opposes plans for an income tax rise at the budget later this month.

Last week, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves refused to rule out breaching Labour’s election manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, VAT or national insurance amid speculation she may need as much as £30 billion to stabilize public finances.

Reeves’ former Cabinet colleague Lucy Powell, who recently beat Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s preferred candidate to become deputy leader of the party, responded by saying the commitments must ...