Rachel Reeves announces public spending cuts in Commons statement

After conducting a Treasury audit, Rachel Reeves came to the Commons today to give a rundown on the extent of overspending the Conservatives made in the last financial year, and what Labour are going to cut back on to alleviate overspending.
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[@dazecm]

That £22 billion-pound black hole did not get spent on public services and infrastructure; it was a massive transfer of wealth of public money to the already wealthy. Tax these wealthy benefactors, not the areas of society where the money never went to.

[@dazecm]

Also, why the fuck is it a 'black' hole? Is there no concept of fiduciary duty on governments and sensible tracking of where all that cash actually went?

[@NeonVisual]

CONservatives. I've embiggened the three relevant letters..

[@lukemoores6763]

I think you’ve misunderstood what she meant. The ‘black hole’ is the difference between what the government had budgeted for and how much it will actually cost to implement their commitments.

[@MrBoliao98]

It's not even tax, companies with money should not be subsidised. Forget tax breaks, stop overspending then you wouldn't be taxing.

[@ONeill01]

Labour knew of the £22m blackhole; IFS, Owen Jones and Ash Sarkar already publicly stated this before the elections - there's omerta of silence by Labour and Tories about this including the media

[@michaellawrence7570]

Tax the billionaires and millionaires more.And get out ppe money back off Michelle mone and the other crooks

[@bossmanjj2543]

if they do that people will go crazy at its taxing

[@Craig121000]

Thousands of millionaires have left the country since 2017. More are set to leave in the coming weeks.

[@_KRYMZN_]

@@Craig121000 then we’ll just take all the assets they have in Uk borders and use the profits from those assets to help fund public services. If the assets are houses then we’ll use them to house the homeless. Let them stay and pay their fair way or fuck off and let us get to it. Taking advantage of the public isn’t on.

[@MrBoliao98]

Listen to the speech, it isn't even tax. They are fucking handing out money to the train companies. Stop handing out money to profitable companies. No wonder there's a deficit.

[@wba9652]

Yeah just tax the rich. Problem solved. Rich people having money in their account adds more value than them paying little tax.

[@kellymckeever.6]

Get the dodgy ppe contracts money paid back to the tax payers

[@caroltodd6691]

from Rishi Sunaks rich friends Baroness Mon

[@Craig121000]

You've forgotten to tell us how that can be achieved.

[@therealrobertbirchall]

​@@Craig121000seizure of cash and assets. The proceeds of crime.

[@aidandesilva]

To be fair to them it is part of their plan.

[@_Blu-jay]

The job of the Covid Corruption Commissioner

[@JackMBradley]

How on this God given earth can these charlatans not be held accountable?! Surely we deserve justice to have them face prison time or at least huge financial fines to return the money they have stolen from us.

[@petehall889]

Yes, that applies to the whole Labour front bench, if that's what you meant.

[@dm32904]

more like knighthoods and seats in the house of lords

[@jadeyc1793]

@@petehall889source?

[@Grimfang999]

So to summarise what was said: -Tories hid £22billion worth of undisclosed spending last year alone, and hid huge amounts of failure within the system. -Labour is "cutting" public spending, but not through austerity, but through getting rid of extremely wasteful projects and policies which are draining public finances with no real return. -These include the Stonehenge tunnel, Rwanda, clearing the asylum claim backlog, the unfunded 40 new hospital project, and more. -They will also gain more tax income by pressing ahead with the crackdown on tax avoidance and loopholes. -The only austerity-like policy announced is means-testing the pension winter fuel payment, and actively work with charities and councils to make sure that those legible for the payment register for it. -Meanwhile, major public sector fields are getting a 5% or higher wage increase effective almost immediately. They have justified this through raising that strike action has cost the public sector billions, and so this uses the money for public sector benefit offset by opportunity cost. -They have committed to no new tax increases that would affect the working class -They will prioritise investing into relatively low cost projects and industries which will bring rapid and significant economic returns, to fuel further investment down the line. -Finally, the first budget shall be delivered October 30th, and shall establish not only the plans for the first year, but a roadmap for the next three years. Overall, I would say a strong statement. They kept their promises while the "public spending" cuts in the title is unhelpful clickbait - they are cutting WASTE. This is not austerity 2.0, unless we get something horrific come out in the autumn statement, but that will be seen then, not now.

[@HakingMC]

pin this

[@angelanorton5975]

I agree with you here, that's what I just heard. I agree with everything Rachel Reeves has just said. That was a strong statement and to be honest, how great does it feel to have a no bullshiting full of lies and self promotion speech in the HOC again!

[@CB-gv8rg]

pin this

[@EmeraldStarryEyez]

Well done for reasonably summarising all of this without passing over your own judgement. Overall - I'm happy with what was announced.

[@Youalleatmuffins]

Amen 👏

[@foroparapente]

I would vote for putting crooked politicians behind bars.

[@sirianofmorley]

@@foroparapente absolutely, this Labour lot will go as well - lovely idea. Let's get some people in power that actually serve us.

[@foroparapente]

@@sirianofmorley You mean reform, right? I'm concerned so many buy into the koolaid

[@davidlambert1848]

then the green benches would be empty!

[@Lobs79]

That’s the majority of government gone then. I’d definitely support that too.

[@dazecm]

Or at the very least make it trivially easy to remove them from office and barred from holding positions in public service for good. Instead, they tend to remain in politics, failing sideways into another position in government and sometimes upwards.

[@parametr]

Unfunded = incompetent, irresponsble, ... Undisclosed = CRIMINAL We expect LEGAL repercussions on whoever hid official spending information

[@FurieMan]

The information was already known before the election. Both parties pretended like the 20b spending hole did not exists before the election. Tories because they wanted to pretend that it was fine and dandy. Labour because they wanted to be able to say that they were not going to do any cuts. Now labour is pretending that they didn't know about this when they were told months in advance. They could solve this by taxing companies and rich people. But they choose to make people who are less financially well off suffer. The suffering is a choice. A choice that labour has now made.

[@AnonAnonAnon]

Don't hold your breath.

[@jrobs1133]

Nothing was hidden. You've just been lied to by the Labour Party.

[@MrJimiJK]

😂😂😂😂 You believe any old nonsense do you?

[@kevinbrown5737]

If it that bad then God help us in a year or two,when Rachel Takeall has taxed us all to the hilt

[@Kate_Alexander_06]

Fraud? Isn’t this worthy of jail time? Put them in jail??

[@elizabethmcandrew4985]

Only protesters get jailed in UK now

[@craigmulholland1517]

There bloody sitting shakimg their heads !! They should get jailed ...furious !!!

[@lawolsten]

Does this apply to Gordon Brown and Tony Blair??

[@craigmulholland1517]

@@lawolsten apples and oranges

[@Isclachau]

Tony Blair should be jailed in front of any other person in Politics. He started this massive debt.

[@jonnyhume6]

@@Isclachau Absolute tripe. Tony Blair had no hand in Tory corruption.

[@craigmulholland1517]

@Isclachau over 14 years ago , think the ppe scandal and the Rwanda scheme to mention but a few have had more impact ...oh and let's not forget brexit Boris and truss FOURTEEN YEARS

[@craighicksartwork]

TAX THE BILLIONAIRES

[@IrishFrank22]

Become a billionaire and pay 100% tax craig.

[@brainbane8550]

Tax the millionaires

[@roelmartinvandervelde9407]

@@IrishFrank22 Craig will probably happily become a billionaire and pay 95% tax on it

[@davideyres955]

They are already leaving. Many luxury shops in London are closing because they aren’t getting the customers coming through the door. When they leave they will put their assets in trust in off shore companies. Things like council tax are not paid. Assets are moved between trust and stamp duty isn’t paid. High taxes encourage people not to pay and not to earn.

[@Zenkrypt]

​@@davideyres955 I remember there being a large amount of Swedish billionaires and lots of German billionaires.

[@Doomedcreatures]

torys have left this country a total mess. really hope people remember this

[@nicemandan]

They won't. This is just another in a series of cycles that defines British politics: Tories rule for a long time, destroy everything including themselves, Labour get in, reset everything, then Tories get back in and the cycle continues.

[@kinggeoffrey3801]

Just like Labour did in 2010. They are both lying corrupt scum.

[@sirianofmorley]

@@nicemandan It's all economic. Tories take over in good times to carry on the gravy train for longer. Labour come in and raise taxes, somehow the good time comes back, Tories come in. Neither party is here to help us. You're on your own.

[@bunnybismuth]

​@@sirianofmorleySod off, Sergei

[@sirianofmorley]

@@bunnybismuth standard Labour voter intelligence.

[@joshuafindlay1336]

That is a damning report. And the lack of guilt or regret on the Tory faces says it all…

[@JaziRedz]

5 years time you will see how bad Labour is in comparison to the Tories... enjoy your crime ridden concrete jungle full of terrorists and sword wielding drug runners.

[@Patrick-y4d1z]

They only stripped the country of money for the past 15 years as they stole from the poor. Not like they did anything wrong in their mind.

[@dismalfist]

23:51 - "We will appoint a covid corruption commissioner" *The sound of Tory pants being soiled resonates through the chamber. Hasty messages sent to fire up the office shredders and lock the doors.* *In a harbour somewhere Barrowman and Mone are desperately trying to kick-start a yacht engine.*

[@hyperbole2008]

😂😂😂

[@hasnaintejani9307]

As a tory voter, ill never vote for them again. What have they not ruined???. At every turn they have put themselves before the country. I sympathise with labour for what they have inherited.

[@harrybacon419]

Well done for helping to destroy the country

[@danielmcleanfisher]

Same if this is true ( I think it is) they should never be in government again. I was also a Tory voter

[@harrybacon419]

@@danielmcleanfisher thank you for destroying our country

[@1ForTheShieldz]

😂😂😂😂 joker I was Labour but now reform you would also go to reform

[@hasnaintejani9307]

@danielmcleanfisher I think looking at the destruction and lies after lies after lies until they were caught out eventually, I am sure it is true. While Rishy will be having a nice warm swim every morning, we will still be in the cost of living crisis.

[@danielmcleanfisher]

If these figures can be ratified then the Tories should not ever be in Government again and Hunt is a disgraceful human being.

[@kes-UK]

even if not ratified Hunt barely qualifies as human

[@ianworley8169]

Hunt, Kwarteng and Sunak. Every previous Tory Chancellor has brought this situation about.

[@jrobs1133]

You're not at all gullible. You got lied into voting for a party that said they wouldn't raise taxes. 🤣

[@jrobs1133]

@@ianworley8169There is no situation. You're just gullible.

[@jrobs1133]

@@kes-UK Oh look, the left dehumanising their political opponents. You really are the most disgusting people.

[@WhichDoctor1]

its not exactly spending cuts if the money was never there to spend in the first place. It's just acknowledging reality

[@xaviertrujillo506]

They could have decided to tax the rich and the people who have profited from misery to raise the money for our public services, instead they decided not to tax their mates and instead plough austerity on the population and gut pensioners

[@MultiBruce3]

​@xaviertrujillo506 if you tax the rich they leave the country usually taking businesses that employ people with them to other countries where labour is Cheap. Tony Blair era shows this. We are at the crest of a huge financial down turn over this government's term. It's going to be like 2008. All our money is tied up in usury we should abolish usury and start flipping tables like Jesus did. Greed on both sides of the coin is the devide that's been created. The clippers go un-noticed.

[@rank1132]

This is straight up fraud. Get them in prison.

[@derekearles9844]

I asume you are including labour in this as well ?

[@defectiveresistor]

Labour would let them out in a couple of weeks anyway.

[@lonegroover]

Labour? Yep.

[@aidan825]

@@derekearles9844 labour who only just got into government a few weeks ago?

[@ericfranklin1802]

Labour knew about this “20 billion pound black hole”, it was reported before the election was called, reporters like Owen Jones were mentioning it for months before , during and after the election. People who voted for Labour should be furious as they are playing the same game that American politicians play. Conservatives gets in power and cuts taxes, Labour then gets in and goes “oh my god, there is such a hole in the budget we have to cut social spending!………..oh and we can’t increase taxes on the wealthy”.

[@Vetis213]

levelling up was just selling assets and land to a handful of corporations for pennies on the pound of their value.

[@jeromefitzroy]

Like thatcher’s privatisation

[@howardchambers9679]

​@@jeromefitzroyand selling off land earmarked for the cancelled route of HS2 to their mates.

[@Warbaman]

The spending should be made public, every single statistic she has heard, we should hear!

[@joangardner3721]

You can check it on line it is open for the public

[@morganetches3749]

As she says several times, this will be published in the parliament library, which means it will be online

[@SpartanMikey]

Which is one of the things she is setting out to do. More than once she stated that policies will be put in place that will stop this situation from ever occurring again.

[@jt12343]

The state of public finances was not hidden, it was clear and obvious to see that the fiscal rules/policies that Labour outlined in its manifesto would not be sufficient in the election time, but nobody held them or the tories to account for this

[@SpartanMikey]

@@jt12343 funny how you say the state of public finances was not hidden when it took an audit, AFTER the election to uncover the true extent of what the Tories had done. And, as has been stated in parliament over the last couple of weeks, firstly with the revelation about the extra £10bn that the Rwanda scam was going to cost, there was plenty that the Tories had kept from not only the public but, parliament.

[@tbag315]

So if this 22B is true, why are they not holding the tories criminally accountable.

[@tbag315]

Stop funding other countries wars, there a saving!

[@thedangerzone9399]

The government is in business on behalf of the crown. And you cannot prosecute the king. Kind of fucked up.

[@Hascienda27]

@@thedangerzone9399if you think about it, this is systemic since at least May went.

[@iaprm]

Leaving a 22B hole in the budget let's you walk free and get paid if you are an MP. If you are a citizen and owe £50 to HMRC, good luck, you will be made to pay every penny, penalties and interest. :)

[@thedangerzone9399]

@@iaprm Unfortunately yes, while 23% of pop is in absolute poverty.

[@leer774]

Why is there always endless billions for war but never enough to help the people who actually put the money into the pot in the first place?

[@robinmcara793]

Coz of these ppl 😂😂😂😂

[@solegs100]

Its billions in assets and services, not billions in money, we sell them assets or services and they pay for them (should they be successful in defending themselves) at the end and over time. Which will possibly be cheaper grain sales compared to other countries that didn't help them. Iraq was oil, we get cheaper crude but we sell crude at a higher premium. The gov profits either way.

[@deanjames2476]

It's good for jobs ie BAE ,it's money that will have to be paid back with interest

[@Zenkrypt]

​@@massivehero4871 all the elderly that voted for all the crappy previous governments?

[@alanmichael5619]

@@massivehero4871 She's hitting the *wealthy* elderly that aren't struggling to pay their bills.

[@lukemoores6763]

The austerity 2.0 accusation is nonsense. She just gave a 22% pay rise to end the junior doctors strikes. Would Osbourne have done that?!

[@haruhisuzumiya6650]

Austerity measures affect more than the NHS

[@lukemoores6763]

@@haruhisuzumiya6650 Which is why she also approved all the other public sector pay rises as well. The bulk of cuts she made were to unfunded Tory promises that wouldn’t have worked anyway. Hardly austerity.

[@haruhisuzumiya6650]

​@@lukemoores6763at the moment there's more food banks than McDonalds the Rwanda was never going to pass in the first place without dismantling EUHRC the UK taxpayer was taken for a ride first by the energy companies then the water companies

[@davidbates3057]

Giving a payrise with one hand means very little if with the other you cut the workforce and equipment to do the job forcing you to do the job with less people and less resources. But if youw ant to continue believing that this isn't what it looks like on the surface, be all means. But what pisses me off is how blatanelty they lie about "not knowing" this black hole was there. We've known for years it was there. Owen Jones was shouting about it for months leading up to the election and questioning why neither party nor the media was talking about what should be done about it. Why? Because when their only acceptable solution is more austerity, that's not going to win them an election now, is it? So instead they gaslight us claiming they're going to do one thing, then come out with this utter tripe that "OMG, WHO COULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING? NOBODY KNEW HOW BAD THE OTHER PARTY LEFT THE PUBLIC FINANCES!" Except everybody did. Genuine question, how do you rationalise what Reeves is saying here to be any different to Tory claims of a letter being left on the table saying "Sorry, there's no money left" from back in 2010? All of those cuts the Tories back then were to fix this supposed black hole in the public finances that New Labour left, yet here we are 1 years detached, and not only did all those horrific cuts not fix the hole, but we have another Labour Party parroting the exact same talking points with the exact same solution. There is a saying, "Fool me once, shame on you." It has other lines too, but apparently many of you have yet to go beyond that first one.

[@markknight1011]

The same Osbourne that said we were all in this together, and brought in the 2 child limit.

[@discostoo]

The tories should be facing criminal charges.

[@JamesHanglin]

Beginning with BoJo, Mogg, Gove and the whole damn circus 🤡

[@Isclachau]

And Blair, Brown and Campbell.

[@grimdicer152]

And Labour

[@jrobs1133]

You're being lied to by the Labour Party and you are lapping it up🤣

[@AnthonyWilliams-sh1gv]

@@Isclachau too much reading the daily mail

[@dizzyskilla8576]

Right honorable!?.. There's nothing right honorable about politicians

[@noeldunford4955]

Can't you tell Tories don't like the truth

[@dragonfly6908]

Rachel Reeves can't take any criticism.

[@dm32904]

the 1.5 billion saved by freezing pensioners is half the amount sent to ukraine

[@sanjeevebahu39]

Tax the Tories and not us the working people. Why do we have to always suffer based on politician decisions?

[@MrIDFWU]

So this is why the TORIES never agreed public sector pay rises from March. It’s all making sense now

[@devally2432]

Haha, that's the first time I've ever seen Hunt without his trademark smirk on his gormless face. It's high time he was made to feel uncomfortable.

[@gent3284]

put tories behind bars

[@ServaasFlesch]

rachel reeves is an dishonorable tory.

[@michaelrch]

Red Tories as well?

[@vicvinegar7530]

does that include rachel reeves

[@rayjennings3637]

I'm sure there must have been 1 or 2 who were honest just as I am sure that must be 1 or 2 Labour politicians who may not be as honest as they profess to be!

[@jrobs1133]

Oh look. A fascist.

[@Freespeech2222]

If all this is true, why are politicians not facing jail?

[@iandaniels8386]

a mp can get away with fiddling you cant

[@salazar591]

It's not true. Labour are just saying it so they can blame any cuts and tax rises on Tories rather than their own election lies. Same shit different colour tie as always. New government gets in, blames previous government, goes back on election promises, screws over old people and working class. Rinse and repeat next election.

[@theo-jamesmoulton2000]

They may yet.

[@danw506]

@@theo-jamesmoulton2000oh yeah sure lol

[@Olyfrun]

​@@danw506yeah. We have teams in place to investigate this, should be fun

[@johnsammers]

Why not just stop sending arms to Ukraine an Israel?

[@MonkeyDuDe1]

£22 billion-pound black hole yet not one will go to prison.

[@Howt-ooo]

£20 billion.... Think about that for a minute. I'm lost for words.

[@superrrnova1986]

Labour have committed to way more than that during the last three weeks. Dafuq are you talking about?

[@Olyfrun]

​@@superrrnova1986not watched the video?

[@mirkys130]

@@superrrnova1986like what

[@jimba6486]

That’s nothing my friend from across the pond. My governor of CA lost $24Billion for homelessness … no one cared, business just carries on as usual

[@mirkys130]

@@jimba6486 USA is so disgustingly wealthy for what it’s citizens get out of their government lol

[@Moinul987]

James Cleverly has the most slappable face to have ever walked the surface of this universe

[@josephmcguckin961]

No Starmer has.

[@lostyly]

Weirdo alert

[@tradeladder146]

@@josephmcguckin961 Blah Blah, not so Cleverly is a Crook.

[@boota1979]

@Moinul987 My thought entirely!

[@3whatscookin]

him and Rees Mogg

[@maxhumpston]

They know exactly where that money went - billions of pounds do not just disappear - tax the ultra wealthy ffs, and transfer some of this money back to those that need it most!!

[@anicebitofbreadtomopupthel7144]

And claim back the money spaffed up the wall by the tories when in Government, like when Truss spent £1000 per head for on flight catering. They've been taking the Mick for too long.

[@nathankay-doney2143]

- Tax the ultra wealthy properly, not unfairly. (Remove tax loopholes) But also… - Seek out to reduce as much as possible benefit fraud. Billions going missing on both ends of the spectrum.

[@UkSapyy]

Billions don't go missing once created someone has them. That money needs to remain in circulation and not in the pockets of invididuals otherwise you end up with a few people being richer than the cities they live in.

[@UkSapyy]

Plus benefit fraud is small gains, you'd likely spend more enforcing the procedure to get the money back.

[@mj200]

Incredible start to government. Well done Labour.

[@dm32904]

it survived 14 years of tory cuts, and 14 days of starmers labour

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

Good luck to Labour trying to get us out of this mess

[@jgmediting7770]

It’s not that difficult. The Labour right are just resistant to it because it’s against the elite’s class interests.

[@Sally237-s4w]

We need an amnesty ..the rich can give up pensions they don’t need,

[@sirianofmorley]

Too right, these idiots/criminals have no chance. The colour of tie does not make a difference. These people are not here to help you.

[@michaelrch]

Using Tory policy to fix Tory failure is obviously going to fail.

[@GillianBailey-s9z]

I think you'll find it will be you.

[@johncranwell3783]

The oppositions guilt is palpable and it’s written all over their faces….shameful

[@michelledennett59]

The front row of the shadow cabinet are as guilty and complicit as each other; oooh, where was Rishy? Re: Mr Hunt, me thinks he protesteth too much!

[@philipbaker4840]

There must be penalties to these consequences. There should be a prohibition on all past Ministers of State who mislead the commons in regard to their Financial Control. Where budgets have been exceeded, those ex-minister should be prohibited from any future position of Minister for life. We MUST have proper standards of Governance and where it has been abused they must be penalised

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Well done Rachel Reeves 👍

[@matthewroberts2804]

Finally a bit of honesty, i think its time some of them are locked up for the lies they have told for over a decade.

[@moldyolddough1]

Its not honesty when they pretend they didn't know about the so the called black hole!

[@roseanncampbell3168]

​@@moldyolddough1 how would labour know about that when they did not has access to full account while in shadow cabinet? Are you actually serious

[@juliewake4585]

@@roseanncampbell3168this was something that Owen Jones and others predicted many times before the election.

[@roseanncampbell3168]

@@juliewake4585 yes, their Tory friends who love to leak leaked it to them. Labour still didn't know if it was truth or not until they got into power and got hold of the accounts. We're they supposed to point guns at the Tories and demand access to their treasury budget and spending amounts. The facts are the Tories stole for the public and lied and left a mess for whoever came next. No wonder they kept accusing labour of they will raise taxes if they get in because they know they stole and messed up the public finances, promised funding for projects knowing their was no money, misleading the public. End of

[@fizanadnan2]

@@juliewake4585 key word is predicted they still had no idea the true scale of the situation until now

[@Colm-c2y]

Finally there are serious people running the show, I do hope she turns things around. I have a sense of relief now that the tory crooks are no longer messing it all up.

[@johnread2250]

Deluded

[@robertmontgomery3869]

😂😂😂😂

[@easyq12345]

There all sail in same boat 😂

[@Blonde_Somnambulist]

Lol how naive you are ....

[@Colm-c2y]

@@Blonde_Somnambulist Thank you.

[@kimaspindale9721]

The Tories should be jailed

[@Cripinub1]

Fast forward 10 years, you’ll be saying the same thing about Labour or keeping quiet in embarrassment. Choose one. It’s same old cycle, wake up, two party system has us trapped

[@limpethead]

Shut it. Get to work. You voted for them. Pay them taxes

[@zHYPERi0N90z]

The national debt is 2.5 trillion a deficit of 25 billion is 1/100th of 2.5 billion which, for our national debt to be this high we must've of been in a deficit for nearly every budget since 2000

[@jane9875]

labour lies labour chaos labour disaster has started

[@mrmale9985]

​@@limpethead You are a dosser mate 😂

[@TeresaConstable]

Well as they were therefor them to see anytime they wished to see them .If they are so short of money why are we spending billions on foreignersand opening the borders for moreto come to our country .

[@McKamikazeHighlander]

I don't mind if my taxes have to go up to get things back on track. So long as those b*stards that caused this mess have to pay extra too. Afterall, we're all in this together, aren't we...

[@casteretpollux]

No.

[@liamtownsley8602]

you’re already taxed more now than peole ever have been everything you do is taxed in some way money is taxed like 5 times before it reaches your hands 🤣 why would you want more

[@VENOM-ro3uh]

Nope, George Orwell's Animal Farm in action

[@slumbercat]

@@liamtownsley8602 I've lived in a country (Iceland) with 39% taxation, more like 44% when add social in etc. Somehow I wasn't poor, even though I was only working as a chef - in fact I could even buy a flat by myself! Not exactly sure the relevance of me writing this, perhaps higher taxes and less wealth don't go hand in hand as we think. Norway has high taxes and a high standard of living for example.

[@talstoic]

There is no way on earth I’m paying any more tax

[@JasonSimpsonArt]

Tax the f**king rich!

[@CoolSocialist]

Won't happen, Starmer is a Tory.

[@ianc7866]

Top 1% pays 30% of tax. Why don't you get a better job and help us all out.

[@CoolSocialist]

@@ianc7866 Pulled those figures out your ar*e, Tory.

[@ianc7866]

@TheCoolSocialist never voted for them in my life, so cry harder. Nonetheless, it's a fact. You can even Google it.

[@CoolSocialist]

@@ianc7866 I would like a side of source...with that misinformation you've served up.

[@dogwithsandels]

Legalising cannabis would bring in an estimated £1billion a year.

[@Craig121000]

You've forgotten to tell us how that can be achieved.

[@BoyeeSmudger]

​@@Craig121000There's a market/industry here already in the UK.

[@simplesplayground7871]

Because the market is so large that and the government could tax: Purchases Sales vat Income from every part of the sector It would also reduce spending on police and prisons who are used to find and imprison the current market. It probably would ease the pressure on the mental health sector though I can't say by any degree as I don't have the data but the amount amount people who could just smoke and have a conversation with themselves would go a long way

[@simplesplayground7871]

They can also make money on selling licenses though this would be a small increase

[@POWERtothePEOPLE-GP78]

Canada raised 9 billion dollars in the first year after they legalised it. Thing is though, it's too soon. There are Labour MP's that agree and the guy Starmer has appointed as prisons secretary has said in the past that he doesn't believe people should be imprisoned for lower level offences relating to cannabis, so there's progress, but a really big change in the law like that isn't the kind of thing you should expect in the first term, after the mess that the tories left. I think it's likely to happen in the next 15 years though.

[@justinengland9814]

I think these reports should be published in simple terms for the public... as it is our money!

[@uraboyo]

How on earth were they allowed to do all this surely there has to be some accountability - go get them Rachel name and shame those who signed it off !

[@michelledennett59]

She can start by stopping the annual payment to Liz Truss for being the most incompetent PM, 30 something days and she gets a massive pension!

[@mrdanjames]

Why are tough decisions never "taxing the rich?" Always cuts for those in need (who have been getting slammed for 14 years). I guess they mean tough for those who can't fight back, not tough on the government...

[@zm12123]

Raising taxes doesn't work. They're at their highest level in decades, and the country has bigger issues to tackle.

[@PJH13]

By all means tax them more. The great thing about being rich is every other country wants you to move to them and flights are cheap!

[@johnathanrowley2707]

Reduce mps wages

[@mdt105]

I mean, unless she's doing a bunch of stuff not in this statement, mostly it seems like she's 'cutting' several corporate welfare projects (ie, giving train operating companies a couple of billion a year just because), blatant bad ideas (selling Natwest shares to Tory cronies at well below market rate), or phantom projects that are announced and on the balance sheet but not actually ever going to be delivered. The commitment to build 40 hospitals that everybody knows was not ever a real project, for example. So far as I can see, the only cut to public services actually announced was means testing winter fuel payments.

[@keithparker1346]

​@@PJH13???

[@cleonawallace376]

I'm all behind giving the Tories a good telling off, but she's ignoring the tough choice elephant in the room...TAX THE SUPER WEALTHY!!!! FFS just because you've been sucking up to them at Davos, you'd rather implement austerity 2.0. All this 'if we can't afford it, we can't do it'. Well THEY can afford it.

[@jt12343]

Exactly - it’s a matter of political will - there are options other than public service cuts and this conspiracy of silence by both of the main two parties and the media over this is sooo frustrating

[@condor07uk]

It's impossible to tax the super-wealthy, or even the moderately wealthy, effectively. These individuals have the freedom to choose where to live and where to place their money. If we attempt to tax them more, they are likely to leave, taking their wealth with them. This exodus would negatively impact the economy by removing significant amounts of capital. Even if we tried to tax their assets, which seems more feasible on paper, they could simply relocate those assets outside the UK. This would make attracting new investments increasingly difficult, putting a strain on the entire economy. Investments are made with the expectation of profit, and if that can't be achieved here, they'll seek opportunities elsewhere. Economy is a double-edged sword

[@JanMorristheadminmaven]

​@@condor07uk Let the traitors go. We'll manage without them.

[@CookeeQapla]

I agree! The Tories definitely feathered their nests but where was the anger after the financial crash? The wealthy who had cheated and broken the system meant that the next 14 years and counting would mean a terrible time for everyone in this country, especially Alistair Darling, then Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer announced Austerity measures. Labour lost the election and a Coalition was formed. The Austerity entered into was less aggressive than proposed by Darling. For the next 14 years, Labour supporters bashed everyone they could about Austerity (easy when you're not in government). Today... the Labour Chancellor announces required Austerity measures and tax rises and the comments go wild but not to hold her to account. I get that this government has got a job that will take a lot longer after 8 years of populism but I do find the various responses in conflict.

[@MzeeMoja1]

I seem to remember some of them writing a joint letter asking to be taxed more.

[@BloodMoonASMR]

This Rachel Reeves is quickly becoming a favourite of mine!

[@harrybacon419]

You want more austerity?

[@Youalleatmuffins]

She's amazing

[@solegs100]

@@massivehero4871 They wont have to build so many houses, pay out as much on cold payments and ease the burden on the NHS. Don't give Labour ideas..............

[@CeticWales]

@@harrybacon419 No and good thing we are not getting any,

[@harrybacon419]

@@CeticWales clearly didn’t watch the video

[@davecap2641]

Well said Rachel, what a joy to see the tory front bench squirm. Having said that.........what a bloody mess to clear up.

[@harishkaria5644]

She is not qualified 🤨, she only has a probably degree in economics 😎

[@ian99ih]

Best statement I have heard from the government for years: "If we can not afford it, it will not happen" Looks like the days if pandering to everyone is over. We'll done Labour.

[@HamedAdefuwa]

But we'll still send money to Ukraine?

[@deanjames2476]

They will still spend billions on net-zero which the majority of the country would scrap tomorrow

[@fred1216]

Shame it wasn't in their manifesto

[@TECHNOSHITHEAD]

exactly that ​@@HamedAdefuwa

[@TECHNOSHITHEAD]

no we shouldn't, not our war​@@StrikeBolteafc

[@scareybailey]

The grown ups are back in charge.

[@martininho001]

@dogglebird4430MEANS TESTED. Do you actually understand what that means or are you just another bot incapable of anything other than parroting lies?

[@gabrielsiteny]

they look so sorry, I love it.

[@JOEJOETOTTENHAM]

Shut it tories...

[@kopperbird6665]

Jeremy Hunt looking like a naughty schoolboy! Reeves is an absolute BOSS 😎

[@ad101835]

I know the tories were messing up this country but this has genuinely made me feel sick. How are they not all locked up?

[@jonsmith5058]

Hunt needs to be strung up this. The fact he can sit opposite and act like these are outrageous accusations is intolerable. He must be held accountable for contempt, gross negligence and misleading the house.

[@markhalliday2559]

TAX THE RICH

[@IrishFrank22]

Rich people dont want to pay for you and why should they.

[@tyliusc25]

Just wait, step by step

[@hammondpickle]

@@IrishFrank22 Because they made their money from us. Be it in the past couple of decades, or five centuries ago, the people with money didn't work for it.

[@zm12123]

They're trying to rebuild the economy, not destroy it. So, you want a system where building businesses, hiring locals, and boosting the economy becomes completely undesirable? Try thinking before posting ridiculous comments online.

[@markhalliday2559]

@@zm12123 I'll tell you what is ridiculous........Reeves claiming they have only just found out about the 23 billion. If Owen Jones knew BEFORE the G.E. then I'm damn sure Reeves did as well. Labour have sold out to the mega rich the same as the Tories. Ask yourself why no new capital gains tax or taxes on wealth or unearned income like dividends on shares or property. THey could have solved this problem without the need for cuts just ask yourself WHY they didn't.

[@greenbucky]

Ah yes, cut public spending rather than tax those who have stole it all from us over the last few years. Really representing working people, cheers Labour!

[@DrMontague]

I told the cretins time and time again what tory keir's Scammer tory party would do, again the cretins had their head up their arse, I was mocked and ridiculed. They are being flogged with a whip of their own choosing, and you ain't seen nothing yet! I will be living abroad for the winter months, enjoy the winter and the energy bills 😂😂😂

[@xMrjamjam]

Its the quickest way to get money unfortunately once they have the money they can start to make impacts but its upto labour to tax the rich their fare share and to get the money the tories stole back

[@MrJeffHead]

Yes cut public spending is the right thing to do. You say put taxes up but they are already the highest they've been in living memory.

[@master0fnone]

Who are they, the ones who stole the money from us?

[@lorendunlop4911]

If you watch the video you will understand your statement makes no sense. Classic case of read the title and comment.

[@CH-pr2ub]

Hunt looked PISSED every time the camera was on him... Must be doing the right thing!

[@malcolmdennis7083]

I didn't hear anything about windfall taxes on oil companies, power, supermarket chains, trains and water.

[@TuntunGamer]

Already been announced in the kings speech about energy companies and a new windfall tax.

[@jacksloan958]

Their policies on Energy, rail nationalisation and ending water boss' bonuses have already been announced and are in the process of being implemented (The second reading of the railways public ownership bill was immediately after this statement)

[@andyt2k]

Check out their previous statements and announcements

[@newworldorder568]

@@andyt2k What about benefits? UC, PIP etc

[@mikestravelshow]

Maybe october 30th we will hear it.

[@fatherted9331]

How about getting rid of MPS Expenses and the house of lords £395 a day

[@philippedley5073]

That is about the last thing that they would do, they have means tested winter fuel payments for us but not means tested the daily payments to those millionaires in the HOL.

[@eddiereed5025]

plus subsidised food and drink

[@QwertyQwerty-bd3tm]

Like it or not, it would make situation worse. More lobbyists will take advantage of politicians.

[@patrikfloding7985]

It won’t make a noticeable able dent in the finances. Do the maths. Not that I’m against the idea.

[@WildBill-py6vn]

No they have elderly and disabled to attack for their theft and greed both parties are the same

[@bailey3209]

Seems to me like they should start getting all these billionaires to pay a bit more tax doesn't it? Wont happen, instead us proles have to deal with it

[@AyoAYO-cm6hb]

They’re scared to tax billionaires because they will pack up and take their trade elsewhere where they aren’t taxed. We will end up losing business. Of course, Brexit made this worse as we are such a small country by ourselves now. I really wish we could just tax the super wealthy but it’ll mean we lose so many businesses and services thus meaning we will have state run companies and become more and more socialist/communist. It will be something like Russia where the war saw loads of companies pull out and they had to do their own versions. Fake McDonald’s, fake supermarkets etc

[@sylvanasantucci]

yeah, start with Amazon...that should rake in a few quid and may level the playing field for local retailers and revitalise the high street

[@jacobitedynamite]

​@Stephen0988 that would result in only millionaires wanting to be politicians. Don't cut their wages. Ban them from having a second income.

[@dakeyrasuk]

She reiterated that they won't be increasing vat, NI and income tax. What does that leave? Wealth taxes such as inheritance tax and possibly new income tax brackets....

[@MrJeffHead]

​@@jacobitedynamite why ban them from having a second income?

[@chriswilde7246]

Oh! But we will still fund the Ukraine. 🤔

[@nancyhood8395]

If this is true about the finances criminal charges should be brought against those who lie and cheat

[@helloworld0911]

Jeremy Hunt looks like a naughty schoolboy getting a dressing down by the headmistress.

[@BloodMoonASMR]

They should be going after the employers who use AI screening and post jobs that don't exist and have hiring discrimination based on appearance etc. and mess around and waste our time and fuel just to not hire us, not target the vulnerable. Get it right!

[@Mercs_Beamers]

@@massivehero4871means testing the winter fuel payment is fair, if you are able to afford it then why does the taxpayer have to pay?

[@ianholland3594]

Turn Dido Harding upside down and shake until the £34 billion track and trace money appears...good luck with that.

[@jefflucas7251]

Get the money from the Tory party.. they have the money

[@MikeHunt..]

We can also ask that the politicians have their allowance cut too!.

[@swift9431]

They'll do the same in the long run. We'll all be taxed more, and they'll just blame tories every time.

[@Aiden.Stinkhorn]

The faces change, the script remains unchanged.

[@davidcornwell2494]

As a recent newby pensioner, I'm 'lucky' enough not to rely wholly on the state pension and fully agree with the winter fuel payment being made available to those who really need it. I've made provision for my retirement and the fact that I won't receive this payment won't impact me greatly so I hope those who do need it, continue to get it, maybe even consider a bit more for them.

[@harishkaria5644]

Those who get the freebies get all, those who try to manage on their own get a kick in the teeth. & get nothing. Oh yes you will have now enough money for those asylum people. But not for the pensioners of this country.🤪

[@CnutLongsword]

@@harishkaria5644what a dumb take from a guy named harish complaining about asylum seekers…

[@Tzctplus]

​@@harishkaria5644all asylum could be stopped tomorrow and people's lives wouldn't improve at all. Why are you obsessed about something that's a moral duty and that could cost far less if it was done properly?

[@wsTGS]

the tories acting like a bunch of children is embarrassing!!!

[@Cripinub1]

But totally ignores it from the other side

[@paulchadwick9419]

They are trying to cover there backs for 14 years of mismanagement

[@Olyfrun]

As ever. They are a drain on our finances, and a stain on our democracy.

[@jane9875]

its getting boring now blaming the Tories for everything

[@gabrielcoventry4586]

Labour acting like a bunch of Tories is also embarrassing. Yet another promise u-turned. More austerity to come.

[@sfernando1]

Labour should tax the rich instead of punishing the very poor. Didn't vote for Labour to punish the vulnerable, helpless poor.

[@tradeladder146]

Relax its coming.

[@beverlyhitchon4901]

@@tradeladder146 agree, be patient and don’t lose hope. ❤

[@airaction2257]

You voted Labour 🤣🤣🤣

[@Goozo612]

😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤡

[@elainemacdonald1668]

It's shocking they are doing away with winter fuel payments for the elderly.

[@BlayneRiley]

That was great. Wish we had someone speak like Ms. Reeves in the US.

[@MalavitaOfBB]

Get the King to pay inheritance tax and you're sorted..;)

[@laverdajota8089]

And give back the land to the people, land stolen by his forebears.

[@lukedw73]

Hopefully no more free lunches for the political friends.

[@MrBoliao98]

The Tories just subsidise companies, and tax the poor. Fuck taxes, stop handing out money to profitable companies. 1.6B for transport, seriously? Reeves, this clear response is gonna have a bull market.

[@IMMAPARADOX_]

Sounds just like the conservative statement, if you are working class your fucked

[@dukedragon28]

You can tell the torries are terrified because they just cant shut up and go more than one moment without attempting to interject

[@stevej72]

Actually I'm pleased that Hunt was voted back in, just to see hiim squirm in his seat, on being told his blatant uselessness at being chancellor and the Torys just being Tory's

[@jazzyb8886]

He was useless as a health secretary too. I hope they zoom into his face every chance they get!

[@southney7211]

Agree to some extent.

[@sasserine]

The Tories lied to Parliament, that they'd only spent £290m on the Rwanda Gimmick. They'd actually spent £700m. If those fraudulent accounts are indicative of other departments, it easily adds up to over £20bn.

[@ianclarke1852]

How much was wasted on HS2?

[@Dacheerio]

@@ianclarke1852 its not wasted if its to pay for infastructure that we desperatley need

[@elorateq3672]

@@Dacheerio The Conservatives cancelled it before they left. Then did some dodgy deals selling off the land they'd bought to develop it.

[@etiennedeklerk]

@@Dacheerio it's wasted if you don't get it .. and the tories cancelled a lot of it.

[@alanmichael5619]

@@Dacheerio £66 billion on a railway line that only goes 90% of the way between London and Birmingham? It's more than double the total spending we do on our railways every year.

[@danielskelton1145]

As a Conservative-minded voter, I am very relieved that we now seem to have a more competent and responsible government in office.

[@nsdlsarn]

Labour on their best!

[@trytwicelikemice3190]

Weird to watch what feels like competent leadership and governance of the country. It's been a while since a cabinet member delivered a statement that sounded this serious.

[@matthewhewitson80]

The Chancellor seems genuinely angry about this

[@janetmalcolm6191]

Well she has to help fix it! We know what that means upping tax but as it is worse than they let on people are going to moan. Problem is how bad would it have been if they had stayed in power? Disastrous as it was.

[@TheReelDealFilmReviews]

She is all about herself.

[@l4zrh4wk]

@@TheReelDealFilmReviewsBS

[@TheReelDealFilmReviews]

@@l4zrh4wk Alright why not? MPs are more likely to be narcissistic than most people. Her book, which is rumoured to be plagiarised, she even said it wasn’t properly referenced. Transparency isn’t really her strong suit. In 2019 she said she would never compromise winter fuel allowances making it a priority, it was on Twitter and her pledge is now only the pensioners who get tax credits will get the fuel allowances. Then there’s the Bloomberg event, the IPSA expenses, her other shady expenses not being declared. The woman is all about herself. She doesn’t care about the people, don’t be naive.

[@Hascienda27]

@@TheReelDealFilmReviewsyeah, it sounds like she is 😂😂

[@jonowhitney5515]

Very impressive

[@SirWhig-esq.]

20% VAT on private schools 🎉

[@sirianofmorley]

Results in more pressure on our shit hole schools that already can't cope or teach, can't handle little Harrison from the local council estate because the parents didn't enforce right and wrong. You can place 20% VAT on those schools but again, you will only hit the middle who can't afford it and perpetuate the gap between rich and poor. Its a stupid idea.

[@Tiberiusvonfunk]

Yay, let’s put loads of people into the public schools system so the tax payer foots the bill because weee a bunch of spiteful twats.

[@Warbaman]

120%

[@kdog3908]

Imagine wanting to give your kids the best chance of making it in a world that's getting ever more competitive. What monsters. /s Furthermore, you do realise the people most affected by this are the people who could only **just** manage to get their kids into these schools, right? A 20% hike means it's back to the local comp for the kids of people who may well have worked their arses off to earn the money to get them there. Middle finger to upward mobility. Cheers Labour.

[@Warbaman]

@@kdog3908 so you're saying poor kids dont deserve a fair chance? Real lovely person you are. Hope you never lose every penny and know what its like (/s)

[@Damocoburn]

tax the rich more

[@IrishFrank22]

Work the poor more!

[@ianc7866]

They already pay for you many times over. When you try a it harder in life feel free to send more of your cash to the HMRC

[@chrissmith-wq6gr]

Tax the working classes more and make us work until we drop, then claim back for the work we haven't done because we were so inconsiderate, we died, when if we lived a little longer, we could have done more .

[@brainbane8550]

​@@ianc7866the rich don't work. Workers work.

[@ianc7866]

@@brainbane8550 define rich.

[@jmplans]

never trust a tory

[@harrybacon419]

Or a red tory

[@CeticWales]

@@harrybacon419 No such thing

[@harrybacon419]

@@CeticWales 😂 they’re the front bench in power

[@goose4165]

@@harrybacon419 Labour will never be as malignant and incompetent as Tories.

[@harrybacon419]

@@goose4165 this Labour government is a Tory government

[@readmore7180]

You voted for this Labour voters. You had the chance to maybe actually get something different but you chose this shower. Good job.

[@peterrat100]

The Tories haven’t been so caught with their pants down since they were at Public School.

[@roseanncampbell3168]

Did the Tories ever have their pants up? They spaffed public funds up the wall to their sadistic glee. No wonder they always had a deceitful smirk on their faces at every pmqs

[@jrobs1133]

It really is amazing to fool the public. It's just a shame that people like you can vote.

[@isabellewhite3505]

🎯

[@brianmckee2267]

Sorry, why the fuck were tax payers paying for people NOT using privately owned trains??

[@ChunkyyHD]

To prevent the collapse of the sector due to lockdown. Do you have a short memory; Remember "essential travel only". Should the trains not have been running at all during this time?

[@dertery8724]

@@ChunkyyHDBut they are still subsidising them today!

[@brianmckee2267]

@@ChunkyyHD are we going to get the money back when they're making profits again?

[@ChunkyyHD]

@brianmckee2267 Are people going to pay back the furlough money once they're back in employment? I think the trains should be publicly owned, and they were moving to a TFL type system under Boris with GWR; but in the meanwhile the government couldn't just put it's fingers in it's ears and let public transport collapse.

[@brianmckee2267]

@ChunkyyHD yes! We already are with the tax increases were all paying!

[@TheReelDealFilmReviews]

It was £158 billion the previous time Labour was in parliament. Reeves should not be stopping the Winter Fuel Allowance, that’s not fair neither is it very Left wing.

[@normawakefield8610]

She is a really snappy spiteful sounding person.

[@DarrenJamiesonJamieson]

I think that most of it is fibs just to get rid of foreigners! I could do that job better because I know how to count in english properly, and my grammer and punctuation is second (being no such word as cannot), to none! GIVE UKEIGN BACK TO RUSSIA

[@spare9434]

Tax wealth, not cuts

[@IrishFrank22]

Wealth is private. Hands off welfare bum.