John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to reports that the Chancellor will use his Mansion House speech tonight to confirm tax rises on low and middle earners to fund NHS spending, said:

“Just 12 months ago Theresa May claimed the only way voters can be sure their taxes won’t rise was to vote Conservative, but it seems Philip Hammond didn’t get the message.

“It’s scandalous that the Chancellor is still planning to go ahead with billions of pounds in tax giveaways to big business and a wealthy few over this parliament, but now suggests he will raise taxes on low and middle earners at the same time to pay for the Tory made crisis in our health and social care system.

“In contrast, Labour set out a fully costed plan to fund our NHS and public services by ending the Tory tax giveaways to big business, and with a modest tax rise on the top 5% of earners.”