Lucy Powell, the new deputy leader of labor, said that the government should stand by the commitment of the manifesto that is not unreasonable tax or national insurance or signs of national signs so that it prepares to promise that promise.
Powell, who left Keir Starmer’s Cabinet in a reshuffle before being elected Deputy Leader last month, said the budget should put more money, not less, in people’s pockets.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Powell said: “It’s very important that we stand by the promises we make and do what we say we’re going to do.”
He added: “We have to follow our Manifesto, of course. There is no question about that.”
Powell also said the two-child benefit “needs to be lifted and it needs to be lifted across the board” as a matter of urgency.
“Every year that goes through this policy in place, another 40,000 minimum, 40,000 children, are pushed to a deep level of poverty as a result of lifting it and we raise it.”
His comments are likely to be uncomfortable for the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and Starmer who have both in recent weeks refused to change their commitments to stand on the tax bill.
The government is exploring the possibility of raising income tax as a way to help plug a £30bn hole in public finances for potential surprises.