𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Kemi Badenoch has set up a new website slamming Rachel Reeves ahead of the Autumn Budget. The Chancellor has been criticised for tax hikes, and it is believed that even more are on their way, as the Government seeks to plug an estimated £50billion hole in the public finances. The Tory page features a cartoon of Ms Reeves, styled as “Rachel Thieves” in a black eye mask. The page reads: “Since Rachel Thieves said she wouldn’t raise your taxes again.

“Now she’s scrambling for cash before the Autumn Budget, and we’ll all pay the price. Let us know whether you think Rachel Thieves is up for the job – and what potential tax rises you are most worried about. And we’ll email you how much Rachel Thieves has cost you.” The survey goes on to ask: “What do you think about Rachel Thieves?” The next question reads: “Do you support Labour’s plan to raise taxes in order to fund their new policies?”

Respondents are then asked: “Labour has already raised the cost of living by an average of £1,700 per household. Are you already struggling with this cost-of-living increase?”

The next enquiry asks: “Rachel Reeves is apparently considering a range of new taxes in the Autumn budget. Which of the following taxes most concerns you?”

Finally, the website seeks to know what people would most like to see from the budget to “support families”.

But this is not the end of the page, for it then asks Brits to “let us know a little more about you…”

The site adds: “You can now skip to the bottom of the survey to add your details and click submit.

“You can optionally provide the following information to help us understand public views better.”

It asks: “How did you vote in the 2024 General Election?”

Then, people on the page are urged to think ahead to the next local elections.

“As things stand today,” the Conservatives ask, “what are the chances of you voting for each of these parties?”

People are asked to rank each party from zero to 10.

Yesterday, major British retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Boots issued a warning to Ms Reeves that raising taxes in the Autumn Budget could contradict her plans to improve UK living standards.

Some of the county’s biggest chains have signed a letter to the Chancellor sent by trade body British Retail Consortium (BRC).

It warns that further tax rises on businesses could result in the Labour Government breaking its manifesto pledge to provide “high living standards”.

“Labour’s manifesto made a clear and welcome promise to deliver good jobs and higher living standards, but if future policy decisions lead to rising prices and fewer jobs, then those commitments are at risk,” the letter reads.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “We are a pro-business Government – 380,000 jobs have been created since the start of this Parliament and business confidence is at a 10-year high, according to a recent Lloyds Bank survey.

“Since the election, we have struck three major trade deals with the EU, US and India, business rates are being reformed, and corporation tax is capped at 25%.

“The tax decisions we took at the Budget last year mean that we have been able to deliver on the priorities of the British people, from investing in the NHS to cutting waiting lists and giving a wage boost for millions as we deliver on the plan for change.”