Chief Political Commentator, @theipaper. News, insight and analysis from the House of Commons. Presenter, BBC Radio 4's The Week In Westminster.
Several Tory MPs believe they can never win any tax-and-spend arms race with Labour. And highly nervous of @RachelReevesMP 's message that ordinary workers are paying more in tax but public services (NHS waiting lists, childcare) are still creaking
A 'wealth tax' is also unlikely. @RachelReevesMP and her team are working instead on a collection of measures to get more out of the rich (she's already targeted stocks/shares, buy-to-lets, carried interest) and this is the direction of travel overall.
The key is to have a tax policy that focuses on the way the Tories have jacked up taxes on millions of ordinary people. Here's the OBR estimate from March:
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🩻'Gray's anatomy of a scandal' 🥳'Instead of levelling up the country, the PM was busy revelling up in Downing Street..' In case you missed it, the latest WeekInWestminster is now available on BBC Sounds.
Tory discontent with @BorisJohnson is growing.
TV highlights of the week (spoiler free)? Finally caught up with #DerryGirls finale it was was as wonderful as everyone said. @LisaMMcGee + the team at their very best. 👏
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@BorisJohnson just said the UK should be more like Germany, where workers don't have a "habit of going into work when not well" Key comparison: - Statutory sick pay in Germany 50% pay for 84 weeks. - Statutory sick pay in UK is £96.35 per week for 28 weeks.
This isn't a good look. Labour analysis suggests that of the 59 backbench MPs who have signed up to the motion scrapping the Standards Cttee, nearly a quarter (14) have been found to have breached parliamentary standards.
🚨Met Police have confirmed an “investigation is ongoing” into alleged Covid law breaking at Tory HQ Xmas party in 2020. 👀One of those present is standing as my local Tory candidate on May 5 🥳This chap in the braces, lying on the floor + raising a wine glass, in Mirror pic 🧵
NEW: Brexit has caused a 6% rise in food prices, according to a study out today.
The tax rate for every extra hour worked for someone on Universal Credit is 55p in the £. The tax rate for every extra hour worked for someone earning £150,000/yr is 47p in the £. Why the answer to the cost of living crisis isn't longer hours:
EXCLUSIVE. We have a leaked document showing that one of @BorisJohnson 's own cabinet ministers asked him to more than double the energy bill rebate from £200 to £500 this spring - and nothing happened.
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