Starmer blames sweeping tax hikes on Tories

Keir Starmer blamed sweeping tax hikes at the Budget aimed at funding extra welfare spending and building a larger fiscal buffer on the previous Conservative government’s economic performance. Responding to questions from opposition leader Kemi Badenoch on whether tax rises were necessary, Starmer pointed the finger at a £16bn downgrade to productivity forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). He added that revisions were based on the previous government’s economic performance. “The OBR did a productivity review on their record in office,” Starmer said. “Last year they left us with a £22bn black hole. This year, the OBR did…