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Struggling families can expect a tax bombshell should the Tories stay in power after the election.

Chancellor Philip Hammond signalled he would drop the party’s 2015 manifesto pledge not to raise VAT, income tax or national insurance contributions.

Mr Hammond said: “The commitments made in 2015 do constrain the ability of the government to manage the economy flexibly.”

His remarks come just weeks after he tried to hike NICs by £240 a year for millions of self-employed people in his first Budget as Chancellor.

It was seen as an attack on the “white van man” and he was forced into a humiliating U-turn after it was pointed out the move would break the manifesto pledge.

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Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael pounced on his latest remarks and said: “This is May and Hammond admitting that the cupboard is bare thanks to their disastrous hard Brexit .”

He added: “The Conservatives are causing so much carnage to the economy they have had to admit the country is broke before election day.”

No10 tried to desperately to play down Mr Hammond’s comment, insisting “no decision has been taken” about the manifesto pledge.

But pressed later by the BBC Mr Hammond admitted “All Chancellors would prefer to have more flexibility in how they manage the economy and how they manage the overall tax burden down [rather] than having to have their hands constrained.

“But what we put in the manifesto will be decided in the next few days.”

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(Image: PA)

Speaking separately in Berkshire, Prime Minister Theresa May also failed to re-commit the Tories to the pensions “triple lock” that ensures payments go up by a decent amount each year.

Instead she urged pensioners to “look at what the Conservatives in government have done” without confirming it will keep raising pensions each year by either prices, earnings or 2.5% – ­whichever is the highest.

Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said: “Theresa May’s refusal to commit the Tories to maintaining the pensions triple lock only further proves the Tories are a­bandoning older people. It’s now clear pensions protections are now in jeopardy.”

Meanwhile, Mrs May’s election plans have been plunged into chaos as yet another of her top spin doctors suddenly walked out.

Well-respected No10 press secretary Lizzie Louden told pals she will “move on to other things”.

(Image: REUTERS)

She had been Mrs May’s most senior political spinner following the sudden resignation of communications director Katie Perrior earlier this week.

And it follows the departure of both Mrs May’s official spokeswoman Helen Bower and deputy spokesman Greg Swift earlier this year.

Lib Dem chief Tim Farron said: “No10 is in crisis as all their top spin doctors jump ship. Even they can’t defend Theresa May’s divisive hard Brexit plans.”

There are reports of a grim atmosphere at Downing Street under the leadership of Mrs May and her all-powerful chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill. One source said the mood has turned “from day to night” under the new regime.

In a message to friends Ms Louden said: “I have taken the decision to leave Government. It has been the most amazing and historic nine months. It was thrilling to be part of it.”

(Image: Jack Taylor)

A spokesman for the PM said: “We thank Lizzie for her dedication and hard work. She will be missed by her colleagues, who want to wish her every success in the future.”

It comes three days after her boss Ms Perrior quit within hours of the election being announced, saying she “never intended” to fight a general election with Mrs May.

And it comes hot on the heels of a succession of high-profile resignations. Britain’s EU Ambassador Sir Ivan Rogers quit in January with a devastating attack on Mrs May’s “muddled thinking” over Brexit .

The PM’s national security adviser Mark Lyall-Grant left in February after reportedly falling out with Mrs May.

And they all followed Northern Powerhouse guru Jim O’Neill, who resigned as a Treasury Minister within weeks of the PM coming to power over her lack of support for his infrastructure projects.

Even Bank of England governor Mark Carney announced he was quitting two years early after Mrs May’s arrival in Downing Street.`

And Mrs May’s integration tsar, Dame Louise Casey, quit after 18 years in Government working for four different Prime Ministers.