The Conservatives want Burnham to rule out tax rises before the Budget

Conservatives warn businesses are already under pressure ahead of Budget

The Conservatives have called on the chancellor to remove any uncertainty by ruling out further tax rises. 

Andrew Griffith, who was appointed shadow chancellor by Kemi Badenoch last month, made the demand during his first major speech since taking on the role.

Speaking at a further education college, Griffith said businesses were already under significant pressure and claimed that concerns about higher taxes were pushing Britain’s wealth creators to leave the country. 

He described the current tax burden as reaching “nosebleed territory” and urged Healey not to raise taxes on small businesses or self-employed workers.

Griffith also used the speech to promise changes to the way self-employed people are taxed, saying a Conservative government would replace the current rules.

Economic uncertainty adds to pressure on John Healey

The pressure comes as the government prepares for the 28 October Budget during a period of economic uncertainty. 

Inflation is rising, global energy prices remain a concern and forecasts suggest households could face higher bills in January. 

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has already warned that the situation will make the Budget “challenging”, with the war in the Middle East adding to the difficulties.

Labour has pushed back against the Conservatives’ proposals.

A spokesperson accused Griffith of promising tax cuts without explaining how they would be funded or which public services could be affected, while also saying the Conservatives should apologise for “crashing the economy” during Liz Truss’s time in government.

Healey will hear further demands when he meets trade unions on Thursday.

Unite is calling for the freeze on tax thresholds to be reversed, while Reform has published an economic plan proposing major tax cuts for the UK’s richest people.