After weeks of preparing to break their manifesto pledge, Starmer and Reeves have ditched their plans to raise income tax.  They’re scared it would have angered their MPs and voters, amid a dire performance in the polls. How will Reeves plug the £30 billion gap in public finances if she doesn’t raise income tax? Oli Dugmore is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Will Dunn to discuss. READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/morning-call/2025/11/whats-behind-labours-income-tax-u-turnSAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ <a href="www.newstatesman.com/xmaspod25" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2</a> LISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download the New Statesman app</a> MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ask a question</a> – we answer them every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

After weeks of preparing to break their manifesto pledge, Starmer and Reeves have ditched their plans to raise income tax. They’re scared it would have angered their MPs and voters, amid a dire performance in the polls. How will Reeves plug the £30 billion gap in public finances if she doesn’t raise income tax? Oli Dugmore is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Will Dunn to discuss. READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/morning-call/2025/11/whats-behind-labours-income-tax-u-turn SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS: ⭐️ Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2 LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download the New Statesman app MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question – we answer them every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After weeks of preparing to break their manifesto pledge, Starmer and Reeves have ditched their plans to raise income tax.&nbsp; They’re scared it would have angered their MPs and voters, amid a dire performance in the polls. How will Reeves plug the £30 billion gap in public finances if she doesn’t raise income tax? Oli Dugmore is joined by Ailbhe Rea and Will Dunn to discuss. READ: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/morning-call/2025/11/whats-behind-labours-income-tax-u-turnSAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:⭐️ <a href="www.newstatesman.com/xmaspod25" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2</a> LISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download the New Statesman app</a> MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ask a question</a> – we answer them every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Why is Rachel Reeves U-turning on income tax?

Helping you make sense of politics – every weekday. Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On Daily Politics, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. -- START HERE:▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/300fc1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2cce68" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Do billionaires really benefit the UK?</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2f536d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?</a> -- LISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app</a> to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ask a question</a> - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> in your inbox every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday -- JOIN US:⭐️ Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25 -- <h3>Hosts:</h3>Anoosh ChakelianOli Dugmore <h3>Regular contributors and co-hosts:</h3>Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefWill Lloyd, Deputy editorAndrew Marr, Political editorGeorge Eaton, Senior editor, politicsHannah Barnes, Associate editorRachel Cunliffe, Associate political editorWill Dunn, Business editorMegan Gibson, Foreign editorKatie Stallard, Global affairs editorTanjil Rashid, Culture editorKate Mossman, Senior writer <h3>Production team:</h3>Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesVideo producer: Rob Le MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

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Helping you make sense of politics – every weekday. Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On Daily Politics, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. -- START HERE: ▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague ▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK? ▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better? -- LISTEN AD-FREE: 📱Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN: ❓ Ask a question - we answer them on the podcast every Friday ⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter in your inbox every morning ✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday -- JOIN US: ⭐️ Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25 -- Hosts:Anoosh Chakelian Oli Dugmore Regular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chief Will Lloyd, Deputy editor Andrew Marr, Political editor George Eaton, Senior editor, politics Hannah Barnes, Associate editor Rachel Cunliffe, Associate political editor Will Dunn, Business editor Megan Gibson, Foreign editor Katie Stallard, Global affairs editor Tanjil Rashid, Culture editor Kate Mossman, Senior writer Production team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine Hughes Video producer: Rob Le Mare Assistant producer: Biba Kang Executive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helping you make sense of politics – every weekday. Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond. The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On Daily Politics, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics. -- START HERE:▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/300fc1" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2cce68" rel="noopener noreferrer">Do billionaires really benefit the UK?</a>▶︎ <a href="https://pod.fo/e/2f536d" rel="noopener noreferrer">One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?</a> -- LISTEN AD-FREE:📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app</a> to enjoy all our episodes without the ads. -- MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ask a question</a> - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> in your inbox every morning✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday -- JOIN US:⭐️ Treat yourself or someone special to big ideas, bold politics and proper journalism from just £2 this Christmas when you subscribe to the New Statesman. Subscribe today at newstatesman.com/xmaspod25 -- Hosts:Anoosh ChakelianOli Dugmore Regular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefWill Lloyd, Deputy editorAndrew Marr, Political editorGeorge Eaton, Senior editor, politicsHannah Barnes, Associate editorRachel Cunliffe, Associate political editorWill Dunn, Business editorMegan Gibson, Foreign editorKatie Stallard, Global affairs editorTanjil Rashid, Culture editorKate Mossman, Senior writer Production team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesVideo producer: Rob Le MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

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Why is Rachel Reeves U-turning on income tax?

Why is Rachel Reeves U-turning on income tax?

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