David Lammy to take PMQs after Reeves refuses to rule out tax rises in budget – UK politics live | Politics

Good morning. David Lammy Keir Starmer will make his first trip to the PMQs as deputy prime minister today as he travels to the COP30 climate conference in Brazil. This means Rachel Reeves will be tasked with dealing with all the questions raised in yesterday’s speech, which comes close to confirming that income tax will rise in the budget.

While there was serious debate about what measures the budget should include, in an unusual development, left and right think tanks united to say that the structure of the tax system should be reformed. Olivia Konotey-Ahulu It has a story.

The initiative was led by: Taxation Analysis Center (CenTax), a think tank. Its director, Arun Advani, says:

The UK’s tax code is riddled with inconsistencies and distortions that discourage investment, penalize business and hinder productivity. There is widespread agreement on the need for appropriate reform. The upcoming Budget is an opportunity for the chancellor to look at the tax system as a whole and ensure that any changes, regardless of the total tax amount, also serve the growth mission.

Two important reports were published overnight. Like Richard Partington Businesses need to play a more central role in reducing health-related unemployment, the Keep Britain Labor review says.

And as Richard Adams A review of England’s curriculum has recommended reducing the amount of content and emphasis on exams and instead focusing more on life skills and “enrichment”, according to reports.

I will cover reactions to both.

Here is the agenda of the day.

Morning: Kemi Badenoch is visiting north-east Scotland with Scottish Conservative Party leader Russell Findlay.

Afternoon: Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy is attending PMQs for the first time as Keir Starmer heads to the COP30 climate conference in Brazil. The Conservative Party has not yet said who will replace Badenoch.

After 12.30: As MPs debate the employment rights bill, the government plans to reject changes to the bill passed by the Lords last week. This is the last round of “ping pong” before the bill passes parliament.

17.30: Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice gives a speech outlining the party’s plans to reduce the cost of public sector pensions.

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