Andy Burnham has not ruled out restoring the 50p top rate of income tax to fund tax cuts for pensioners and lower earners.
Speaking at his first press conference since taking over as Prime Minister on Monday, Burnham said he was “looking at” raising the frozen personal tax allowance at which people start paying income tax.
Asked directly whether he would look at reintroducing the 50p rate to pay for such a move, Burnham failed to deny it twice.
He said that all options would be examined ahead of the Budget, which sources close to the new PM claim could happen as early as October. Last year, outgoing chancellor Rachel Reeves carried out the Budget in late November to allow more time for the public finances to improve.
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