3 d. ago By ending a cruel Tory social experiment, this budget clearly set out how Labour will fight the battle to renew Britain | Lucy Powell

The two-child benefit cap was a totem of 14 years of failed ideology. Now it is goneLucy Powell is deputy leader of the Labour partyYesterday the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered a Labour budget. People have been asking for Labour’s purpose and values to be more clearly expressed. Through the choices made – a shift to a fairer tax system, targeting wealth to pay for tackling child poverty, good public services and the cost of living – we have clearly set out what we stand for.That’s why Labour MPs cheered in the Commons, and it’s why we are up for the fights to come. And it’s why the cries from the right began immediately.Lucy Powell is MP for Manchester Central and deputy leader of the Labour partyDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Budget 2025 live: IFS accuses Rachel Reeves of breaking tax manifesto promise in damning Budget verdict

Reeves admits Budget will mean working people will have to ‘contribute a bit more’ - but denies breaking manifesto pledge

Economics

4 d. ago Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr

Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament? Rachel Reeves has approached this week’s budget like a reluctant swimmer inching into freezing water, trying to ease the unpleasantness by incremental exposure. The chancellor started paddling delicately around the problem of insufficient revenue at the end of the summer. First, she refused to stand by former insistence that tax rises in last year’s budget would be the last. “The world has changed,” she said.Then, earlier this month, she took a bigger stride into the icy waves. There was a speech promising to “do what is necessary” to fund public services and keep borrowing costs down. Downing Street did not discourage speculation that this meant reneging on Labour’s 2024 manifesto promise not to raise income tax. Too deep! Within 10 days the Treasury had retracted the hint. The manifesto commitment still stood after all. As any cold-water sw...

Politics

2 w. ago Angela Rayner condemns ‘arrogant tittle tattle’ amid Labour infighting

When quizzed if a return to frontline politics may be on the cards, the former deputy Labour leader said she had not ‘gone away’.

Politics

2 w. ago Angela Rayner makes vow to Brits in first interview since losing Deputy PM job

The former Deputy Labour Leader slapped down the infighting that engulfed Labour this week, condemning it as 'arrogant tittle tattle', and called for a focus on the issues

Politics

2 w. ago Angela Rayner explains why Nigel Farage is 'snake oil salesman'

The former Labour Deputy Leader tore into the Reform UK leader, and accused him of trying to prevent her putting more power into the hands of the working class

Politics

2 w. ago Lucy Powell slams 'unacceptable' Labour infighting and explains what needs to change

Speaking in a week that saw a briefing war emerge over Keir Starmer’s leadership, the Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell called for a 'cultural reset' in how politics was done

Politics

2 w. ago Reeves' climbdown on income tax proves Labour is now the puppet of Left

Rachel Reeves last night faced accusations that she ripped up her Budget to head off another revolt from Labour MPs who feared breaking the party's manifesto promise on tax would be electoral suicide.

Politics

2 w. ago Reeves torpedoes Labour's manifesto in huge Budget tax gamble which could put Farage in No10

Commentary: The Chancellor has been so clear that she is going to torch the party’s manifesto tax promise that a U-turn now would stun Westminster

Economics

2 w. ago Reeves torpedoes Labour's manifesto in huge tax gamble which could put Farage in No10

Commentary: The Chancellor has been so clear that she is going to torch the party’s manifesto tax promise that a U-turn now would stun Westminster

Politics

2 w. ago Reeves risks a 'Nick Clegg moment' by breaking all her election manifesto tax promises

The Chancellor used an interview to claim that while it would be 'possible' for her to stick with the commitments, it would require 'things like deep cuts in capital spending'.

Politics

3 w. ago Why breaking a manifesto promise on tax may be Labour's least

The government can raise taxes or make another possibly doomed attempt to cut spending, but what it cannot do is increase the national debt

Politics

3 w. ago Labour deputy leader’s views on party policy are ‘irritating’, says Labour peer

Thangam Debbonaire accused Lucy Powell of ‘giving a running commentary and undermining’ the government

Politics

3 w. ago Angela Rayner in talks to write book just weeks after resigning from government

Ms Rayner resigned as Labour deputy leader in September

Politics

3 w. ago Keir Starmer hit by bitter Cabinet infighting over Lammy’s handling of jail crisis and Labour revolt on tax

Labour’s new deputy leader Lucy Powell says the Government ‘should be following through’ on its manifesto pledge on not raising key taxes

Events

3 w. ago Prime Minister's perfect storm: Keir Starmer faces cabinet split over tax hikes as prison blunders row rages

Labour’s new deputy leader Lucy Powell says the Government ‘should be following through’ on its manifesto pledge on not raising key taxes

Politics

3 w. ago Headache for Starmer as splits erupt over tax hikes and minister breaks rules

Labour’s new deputy leader Lucy Powell said the Government ‘should be following through’ on its manifesto pledge on not raising key taxes.

Politics

3 w. ago Deputy Labour leader says party must stand by income tax pledge

Lucy Powell says ‘trust in politics is essential’ amid signs the chancellor plans to break manifesto promise

Politics

3 w. ago Deputy Labour leader says party must keep its promises on tax

Lucy Powell says ‘trust in politics is essential’ amid signs the chancellor plans to break manifesto pledge

Politics

3 w. ago Labour's new deputy leader warns party not to break tax manifesto promise

Former Cabinet minister Lucy Powell says it is important for Keir Starmer's government to stand by the promises made before Labour's landslide election victory

Events