logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
29m 22s

Will Labour raise taxes?

THE TIMES
About this episode

Rachel Reeves' first statement as the new Chancellor has kicked off a huge political row. She accused her predecessor Jeremy Hunt of lying about the 'true state' of the UK's finances - and he hit back calling her ‘shameless’. So was there actually a ‘cover up’ by the previous government? And the big question: Does this mean higher taxes?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk 

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'


Host: Luke Jones.

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Clips: Parliament TV, Sky News, Times Radio.


Further listening: Labour: Meet Starmer's top advisors


Further reading: 'Is Rachel Reeves right to rule out China tariffs?' by Mehreen Khan


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Yesterday
Texas floods: could the deaths have been prevented?
Over 100 people, including dozens of children, are dead after flash flooding in Texas. Could this have been avoided given a nearly identical tragedy took place in 1987? Did Trump’s cuts contribute? And what went wrong with the flood warning system?This podcast was brought to you ... Show More
25m 15s
Jul 7
The mushroom killer: what the jury heard
Erin Patterson has been found guilty of murdering three relatives by lacing their beef wellington with death cap mushrooms. She was also found guilty of attempting to murder a fourth person. The prosecution said she did it on purpose; she says it was an accident. It took a jury i ... Show More
30m 46s
Jul 6
‘There was a white light. I looked around and saw bodies’: looking back at 7/7
Twenty years after the 7/7 London bombings killed 52 people, what’s changed since the deadly suicide attack? Thelma Stober suffered life-changing injuries that morning and former police officer David Skiffins spent the weeks after working underground to recover the bodies of thos ... Show More
36m 9s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
New chancellor, new rules
Rachel Reeves has rewritten her fiscal rules on the eve of her seismic first Budget next week. She says her new borrowing rule will help get Britain building, but how will it go down with voters – and the markets? Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is in Samoa, where a debate about repa ... Show More
37m 13s
Jun 13
Reeves sets Labour’s course – but what will it deliver?
Labour’s long-awaited spending review dropped this week. Rachel Reeves unveiled funding settlements for government departments – and a newly upbeat tone after the gloomy promise of hard times in her previous Commons set pieces. The NHS and defence were prioritised but other depar ... Show More
34m 49s
Mar 2025
The Week: NHS Reforms, Benefit Battles and Tariff Tactics
Today, Adam, Vicki, Faisal and Nick discuss Starmer’s attempts to speed up government, a possible fight over benefit changes and whether the PM is going to push back more on President Trump. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask B ... Show More
29m 54s
Feb 2025
Labour WhatsApps: "If you’ve got racist thoughts then you shouldn't be an MP!"
Do MPs say one thing in public, and another in private? This week, Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson ask what’s been going on with the two MPs suspended from the Labour party over WhatsApps messages containing offensive comments.   Andrew Gwynne and Oliver Ryan both lo ... Show More
40m 10s
May 30
Who’s afraid of Nigel Farage?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Reform party leader Nigel Farage clashed on economic issues this week. Farage said his party was the champion of the working class, while Starmer warned Farage’s proposed spending rises amounted to “fantasy promises”. Host George Parker is joined b ... Show More
35m 19s
Oct 2024
UK Labour’s Budget borrows big, taxes more
Microsoft’s quarterly revenue rose 16% on strong cloud computing demand, the UK’s Labour party reveals bold tax increases and borrowing, and the US economy grew at an annualised rate of 2.8% in the third quarter. Plus, critics cry foul over a proof of citizenship law in Arizona.  ... Show More
13m 15s
Jul 2024
Is there really no money left?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she's discovered a "£20bn black hole" in the public finances left by the previous government.      In the Commons, she set out her plans to address the funding shortfall through spending cuts, as shadow chancellor Jeremy Hunt accused Labour of using ... Show More
17m 57s
May 30
The Week: Starmer v Farage, Trump Tariffs and Political Stunts
Today, Adam, Alex, James and Vicki discuss Keir Starmer’s attack on Nigel Farage saying he would “crash the economy”.And, in light of Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick filming himself confronting fare evaders on the London Underground, the team compare their most memorable ... Show More
28m 58s
Apr 6
Trump’s Tariffs: Is Globalisation Over?
Today, the Prime Minister has responded to Trump’s tariffs saying the government is ready to step in to protect the UK economy. Paddy’s away so Jeremy Vine makes a guest appearance to go through it all.They also discuss the Foreign Secretary David Lammy saying it’s unacceptable t ... Show More
22m 52s
Mar 2025
The BIG Rachel Reeves Weekender
Today, Laura and Paddy look ahead to the Spring Statement after Rachel Reeves ruled out "tax and spend" policies, signalling that she will neither raise taxes nor government budgets.The chancellor has been speaking to Laura for a BBC documentary called ‘The Making of a Chancellor ... Show More
24m 58s