Rachel Reeves pledges to support working families with looming Budget
Rachel Reeves has pledged to support working families with an autumn budget that will reduce waiting lists, national debt and costs of living.
The chancellor told the economy is not working He backed working people and promised to “cover the cost of living” with measures aimed at building a fairer, stronger and safer Britain.
“Working families will be at the forefront of my mind as we determine how to shorten NHS waiting lists, reduce the national debt and reduce the cost of living,” he told the newspaper in an address to readers.
“These are the country’s priorities and my priorities as your Chancellor,” he said.
Ms Reeves said the budget would build on work already done to reduce waiting lists, extend prescription fee freezes and expand breakfast clubs.
The chancellor confirmed this week that the cost of a single prescription will be frozen at £9.90, saving patients around £12 million next year.
In the interest of fairness, the budget is expected to include measures to regularly name and shame employers who breach national minimum wage rules.
A Treasury source said: “We are sending a clear message – those who short-change staff will not be allowed to hide.”
In the comments Mirror, The chancellor also stressed the importance of cutting the national debt and reinvesting money into public services.
He said there was “nothing progressive” about spending £1 in every £10 on debt interest and reiterated that the money should go to schools, hospitals, police and communities.
It suffered a blow on Friday when official figures showed government borrowing was £3bn higher in October than the Office for Budget Responsibility had expected.
The Chancellor is expected to increase taxes on November 26 in a bid to plug a multi-billion pound gap in spending plans.
While the government appears to have returned to previously reported plans to raise income tax, it is widely expected to look for other ways to raise cash to tackle the deficit and comply with Reeves’ fiscal rules.
Sir Keir Starmer has previously insisted the second Budget will reflect “Labour values” and be “based on fairness”.
The Prime Minister said he would prioritize protecting public services, particularly the NHS, cutting the national debt and reducing the cost of living.
He dodged questions about whether Labor’s pre-election promise to voters would be fulfilled, despite multiple follow-ups including whether income tax thresholds would be frozen.
Ms Reeves is expected to announce more planners who will support national housebuilding on Wednesday, an initiative floated last year.
