Starmer ‘rejects argument’ tax rises needed to fund public services – and vows ‘no return to austerity’
Sir Keir Starmer said he “rejects the argument” tax rises are required to rebuild public services – as he insisted there will be “no return to austerity” under a Labour government.
The Number 10 hopeful told Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby that he will “properly fund” the UK’s creaking infrastructure – despite very few giveaways in his manifesto.
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The Labour leader has ruled out raising income tax, national insurance and VAT in the policy document – prompting the Institute for Fiscal Studies to warn his flagship promise to deliver “genuine change” is in jeopardy.
It was put to Sir Keir that, given he does not want to raise taxes, he does not have enough money to rebuild public services after years of cuts.
But he said: “I reject that argument. I reject this suggestion that is out there – that all we can hope for with our economy is that we flatline, forever.
“I understand after 14 years why people don’t necessarily believe that we can grow our economy. I do think we can grow our economy. We’ve got serious plans in here.”
Sir Keir pointed to his pledges to overhaul planning laws to build housing and infrastructure more quickly, establish a publicly owned clean energy company and set up a National Wealth Fund to invest in industry.
He said: “These are serious planks of growth for the country.
“I understand why so far in this campaign, what’s being put to us is ‘are you either going to tax more or spend less?’
“But I’m rejecting that that is the only argument, so this manifesto is a total rejection of that argument. We’re going for growth.”
Pressed if “going for growth” meant austerity, he said: “No, there will not be austerity under a Starmer government.
“This is an election about change. We will properly fund our public services. I believe in our public services. I am totally rejecting the proposition that we cannot do better than we’ve done over the last 14 years.”
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‘I’m running to be PM, not to run the circus’
Pointing to his former job as Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Keir added: “I ran a public service under austerity. I know the damage that it did. We will not go to austerity under a Labour government.”
Sir Keir was speaking hours after he launched his manifesto with a pledge to “end the political pantomime” and “rebuild Britain”.
The Labour leader is seeking to bring his party back from the political wilderness after 14 years of Conservative governments under five prime ministers – and polls suggest he is on track to do just that.
Asked if he thinks he’s going to win, Sir Keir repeated his cautious mantra that he’s “got to earn every vote” and “polls can’t predict the future”.
But he said he has been preparing for office for some time, so he is ready to “hit the ground running” on day one.
Sir Keir said: “As you would expect, I know the public would expect anybody who wants to be prime minister to be ready to hit the ground running, rolling up his or her sleeves, to be ready to start the work on day one.
“That’s why I’ve ensured that without being complacent, we’ve done the homework to make sure that we can do that the day after the election, and we will start on dentistry, on health, on policing, on education, all of the change that we need.
“That is not about being complacent. It’s about making sure that I can look the public in the eye and say, if you elect a Labour government in to serve you, we will roll up our sleeves and we will start that work on day one.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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