Chancellor refuses to rule out inheritance and capital gains tax rises
Wednesday, 28 August 2024 () The chancellor has refused to rule out inheritance and capital gains tax rises after Sir Keir Starmer warned the autumn budget will be "painful".
Sir Keir Starmer visited Siemens Energy as part of his visit to Germany. The prime minister was in Berlin to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and launch negotiations on a new bilateral treaty. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
John Swinney said his government will work very closely with citizens to "maximise eligibility for the winter fuel payment" in the wake of its scrapping by the UK Government. Sir Keir Starmer defended the decision, saying it was needed to repair a £22bn "hole" in the public finances. The Scottish Government said they had no choice but to follow suit. "We didn't want to take this decision - this decision was taken for us by the UK Government who abrutply, with very little notice, decided to end the provision for winter fuel payments," Mr Swinney said.
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Sir Keir Starmer said a new treaty between the UK and Germany is "a once-in-a-generation" opportunity to reset the country's relationship with Europe. Speaking at a press conference in Berlin alongside German chancellor Olaf Scholz, the prime minister said the treaty will be "a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver for working people in Britain and in Germany". Mr Starmer added that he hopes the treaty will be in effect by the end of the year. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Chris Philp said any agreements made between the prime minister and EU countries needs to be "studied carefully." It comes as Sir Keir Starmer is in Germany where he aims to "reset UK-EU relations." The shadow leader of the commons said: "Anything which Keir Starmer comes up with will need to be studied very carefully to make sure he is not giving away sovereignty or control which we've obviously now got." Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn