Kemi Badenoch to demand Andy Burnham rules out tax raids to pay for 'spending spree' in first days in charge

Andy Burnham must “rule out tax rises to pay for his spending spree”, Kemi Badenoch is expected to say, after he spent his first days in office announcing measures to ease cost of living for households.

Mrs Badenoch will set out her response to the Prime Minister’s cost-of-living policy blitz in a speech in central London later today, and will challenge Mr Burnham to think bigger and be bolder.

The Prime Minister “seems like a nice guy” the Tory leader will say, adding: “I’ve enjoyed his dodgy dancing and even the shocking revelation that he puts the milk first in his tea. I’m glad he has a sense of humour. It’s needed in this job.

“But when I look at the plans he has announced for the country, my honest thought is: is that it?”

She will question the first decisions Mr Burnham has taken in Government, which include slashing VAT on energy bills, and capping single journey bus fares in England to £2.

Mrs Badenoch will say: “And our new Prime Minister’s big ideas are £40 off energy bills for six months and £2 bus fares.

“Don’t get me wrong, the cost of living is real. But the problems go way beyond bus fares and VAT on bills.”

She will say: “Bus fares are expensive because fuel is expensive. Energy is expensive. Employment is expensive. Regulation is expensive. Government has made nearly everything more costly, and Andy Burnham’s answer is to cap one price and send the bill somewhere else.

“But somewhere else is always someone else. A taxpayer. A business. A family. Someone will pay. And they will pay in higher taxes.”

Ms Badenoch is also expected to accuse Mr Burnham of “still thinking like the mayor of Manchester”, as she urges him to lift his ambitions.

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Business rates slashed by a fifth on pubs across England in major reprieve from 'stealth tax'

Business rates will be cut by 20 per cent for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England in a lifeline for the nation's under-fire boozers.

The discount, teased yesterday but confirmed by Downing Street this morning, will apply to nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses from April next year.

It is expected to save an average pub some £1,100 per year, but will not be available to the very largest live music venues.

The overhaul of business rates will be funded through a review of reliefs for businesses that “do not make a positive contribution to local communities”.

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