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UK politics live: Starmer accuses Sunak of taxation ‘hypocrisy’ UK politics: Starmer accuses Sunak of taxation ‘hypocrisy’ – as it happened
(32 minutes later)
Latest updates: Labour leader says ‘it really is one rule for them, and another for everyone else’Latest updates: Labour leader says ‘it really is one rule for them, and another for everyone else’
And here is a fuller account of what Keir Starmer has been saying about the Sunak family’s tax arrangements on a campaign visit to Sunderland. Like Wes Streeting this morning (see 11.03am), Starmer argued that unfairness was the real problem, not potential breaches of the ministerial code.And here is a fuller account of what Keir Starmer has been saying about the Sunak family’s tax arrangements on a campaign visit to Sunderland. Like Wes Streeting this morning (see 11.03am), Starmer argued that unfairness was the real problem, not potential breaches of the ministerial code.
Starmer accused Rishi Sunak of taxation “hypocrisy” on the grounds that he was putting up taxes for ordinary Britons while his family has been reducing its own tax liabilities. Starmer said:Starmer accused Rishi Sunak of taxation “hypocrisy” on the grounds that he was putting up taxes for ordinary Britons while his family has been reducing its own tax liabilities. Starmer said:
It is Rishi Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty, who has non-dom status, and Sunak’s initial response to this revelation was to insist that her financial affairs were not a matter for him. But the couple implicitly conceded the weakness of this argument at the end of last week, when Murty said she would start paying UK tax on her worldwide income (even though her non-dom status allows her not to), and Starmer is arguing that Sunak must share responsibility for his wife’s decisions.It is Rishi Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty, who has non-dom status, and Sunak’s initial response to this revelation was to insist that her financial affairs were not a matter for him. But the couple implicitly conceded the weakness of this argument at the end of last week, when Murty said she would start paying UK tax on her worldwide income (even though her non-dom status allows her not to), and Starmer is arguing that Sunak must share responsibility for his wife’s decisions.
Starmer said the Sunak family tax arrangements were unfair. He said:Starmer said the Sunak family tax arrangements were unfair. He said:
He challenged Boris Johnson to confirm that no other cabinet ministers have been using non-dom arrangements to reduce their tax. He said:He challenged Boris Johnson to confirm that no other cabinet ministers have been using non-dom arrangements to reduce their tax. He said:
Asked what schemes to reduce tax were unacceptable, Starmer replied:Asked what schemes to reduce tax were unacceptable, Starmer replied:
Starmer’s answer implies that he wants to keep the focus just on non-dom status rather than open up a wider debate about what constitutes tax avoidance.Starmer’s answer implies that he wants to keep the focus just on non-dom status rather than open up a wider debate about what constitutes tax avoidance.
Starmer said that he would expect all his cabinet ministers to pay their taxes in full. He said:Starmer said that he would expect all his cabinet ministers to pay their taxes in full. He said:
Keir Starmer has accused Rishi Sunak of taxation “hypocrisy” on the grounds that he is putting up taxes for ordinary Britons while his family has been reducing its own tax liabilities. (See 2.19pm.) The Labour leader spoke out after No 10 confirmed that the independent adviser on ministerial standards will investigate Sunak’s declarations as a minister to see if they comply with the ministerial code. But No 10 would not confirm that the inquiry will cover Sunak’s decision to keep his US green card when he joined the government, and even when he became chancellor (see 12.29pm), as Labour says it should (see 12.56pm).
Jeremy Corbyn will not have the Labour whip restored while he continues to associate with the Stop the War coalition, Starmer has suggested, saying it was “very clear” those who wanted to be Labour MPs had to be supporters of Nato and reject “false equivalence” between Nato and Russian aggression.
Ali Harbi Ali, 26, has been convicted at the Old Bailey of the terrorist assassination of the Conservative MP Sir David Amess.
The Conservative MP Imran Ahmad Khan has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. This could trigger what would be an important byelection in Khan’s constituency, Wakefield. These are from the politics professor Rob Ford.
Ministers should reconsider England’s “living with Covid” plans, health leaders have said, while accusing the government of ignoring the ongoing threat for ideological reasons.
That’s it from me for today. For the latest from Ukraine, you can read our Ukraine live blog:
Even though Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, effectively conceded last week, when Murty announced she would pay more tax, that they could no longer maintain that their financial affairs were entirely separate (because her tax breaks must have benefited the whole family - see 2.19pm), the message does not seem to have got through to Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Brexit minister. He posted this on Twitter this morning.Even though Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, effectively conceded last week, when Murty announced she would pay more tax, that they could no longer maintain that their financial affairs were entirely separate (because her tax breaks must have benefited the whole family - see 2.19pm), the message does not seem to have got through to Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Brexit minister. He posted this on Twitter this morning.
That triggered this response from Labour’s Jess Phillips.That triggered this response from Labour’s Jess Phillips.
A £19,500 artwork commissioned to represent the 2019 general election has gone on display in parliament, PA Media reports. PA says:A £19,500 artwork commissioned to represent the 2019 general election has gone on display in parliament, PA Media reports. PA says:
The president of the National Education Union has said that Ofsted “is and always has been a failed project”. Speaking at the NEU’s annual conference in Bournemouth earlier today, Daniel Kebede said that Ofsted was a “project that sends your workload rocketing and drives so much of the rot in education”. He went on:The president of the National Education Union has said that Ofsted “is and always has been a failed project”. Speaking at the NEU’s annual conference in Bournemouth earlier today, Daniel Kebede said that Ofsted was a “project that sends your workload rocketing and drives so much of the rot in education”. He went on:
Subsequently the union voted to establish a new commission investigating the reliability of Ofsted’s judgements, and to create a new inspection system for schools based on “collaborative support”.Subsequently the union voted to establish a new commission investigating the reliability of Ofsted’s judgements, and to create a new inspection system for schools based on “collaborative support”.
Following the conference vote, Mary Bousted, the union’s joint general secretary, said in a statement:Following the conference vote, Mary Bousted, the union’s joint general secretary, said in a statement:
When Rishi Sunak announced that the government was cutting energy bills by £200, but asking people to repay the money in £40 installments over five years, the Treasury called this a “rebate”. But it’s a loan, and the attempt by ministers to pretend it isn’t has been met with derision.When Rishi Sunak announced that the government was cutting energy bills by £200, but asking people to repay the money in £40 installments over five years, the Treasury called this a “rebate”. But it’s a loan, and the attempt by ministers to pretend it isn’t has been met with derision.
As the i’s Paul Waugh points out, the government has now quietly rebranded it.As the i’s Paul Waugh points out, the government has now quietly rebranded it.
Today is the day when the annual rise in the value of benefits takes effect. Most of them are going up by 3.1%, in line with inflation in September, even though inflation reached twice that level in February, and is forecast to rise even more.Today is the day when the annual rise in the value of benefits takes effect. Most of them are going up by 3.1%, in line with inflation in September, even though inflation reached twice that level in February, and is forecast to rise even more.
On Radio 4’s the World at One, the Conservative MP Nigel Mills said that, if inflation remained high, he thought the government would have to provide more help for claimants.On Radio 4’s the World at One, the Conservative MP Nigel Mills said that, if inflation remained high, he thought the government would have to provide more help for claimants.
This, from Labour’s Jess Phillips, gives an insight into what MPs are hearing from their constituents about the cost of living crisis.This, from Labour’s Jess Phillips, gives an insight into what MPs are hearing from their constituents about the cost of living crisis.
Under Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn Labour went into general elections committed to abolishing non-dom status. But for the moment the party has abandoned that pledge. When Steve Reed, the shadow justice secretary, was asked about it in interviews this morning, he just said Labour was reviewing its stance on tax, and he seemed to take some pleasure in telling the Today programme that just because something was in Corbyn’s manifesto, that did not mean it was policy now.Under Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn Labour went into general elections committed to abolishing non-dom status. But for the moment the party has abandoned that pledge. When Steve Reed, the shadow justice secretary, was asked about it in interviews this morning, he just said Labour was reviewing its stance on tax, and he seemed to take some pleasure in telling the Today programme that just because something was in Corbyn’s manifesto, that did not mean it was policy now.
Momentum, the Labour group set up to defend Corbyn and his policies, has said that wanting to abolish non-dom status should be a “no-brainer” for the party.Momentum, the Labour group set up to defend Corbyn and his policies, has said that wanting to abolish non-dom status should be a “no-brainer” for the party.
In an interesting article for ConservativeHome, David Gauke, a Treasury minister at the time, recalls the panic created in Tory circles when Ed Miliband announced plans to scrap non-dom status during the 2015 election campaign. The Conservatives only relaxed when a recording emerged of Ed Balls, the then shadow chancellor, telling a meeting a few months earlier that abolishing non-dom status completely might be a bad idea.In an interesting article for ConservativeHome, David Gauke, a Treasury minister at the time, recalls the panic created in Tory circles when Ed Miliband announced plans to scrap non-dom status during the 2015 election campaign. The Conservatives only relaxed when a recording emerged of Ed Balls, the then shadow chancellor, telling a meeting a few months earlier that abolishing non-dom status completely might be a bad idea.
Gauke claims that the Tory policy, which has involved tightening non-dom rules, but not abolishing the perk altogether, makes sense. He says:Gauke claims that the Tory policy, which has involved tightening non-dom rules, but not abolishing the perk altogether, makes sense. He says:
But, in an interview with LBC this morning, Balls himself said that now it was time for a rethink on non-dom policy. He said that the distribution of income across society had changed considerably from what it was when Labour came to power, and he said Labour was reviewing policy in this area anyway. He predicted that Rishi Sunak would do something too. He said:But, in an interview with LBC this morning, Balls himself said that now it was time for a rethink on non-dom policy. He said that the distribution of income across society had changed considerably from what it was when Labour came to power, and he said Labour was reviewing policy in this area anyway. He predicted that Rishi Sunak would do something too. He said:
The Foreign Office has announced sanctions against Bosnian-Serb politicians Milorad Dodik and Željka Cvijanović for “deliberately undermining the hard-won peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina”. In a statement, it said:The Foreign Office has announced sanctions against Bosnian-Serb politicians Milorad Dodik and Željka Cvijanović for “deliberately undermining the hard-won peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina”. In a statement, it said:
Dodik is the Bosnian-Serb member of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s three-member presidency, and Cvijanović is president of Republika Srpska.Dodik is the Bosnian-Serb member of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s three-member presidency, and Cvijanović is president of Republika Srpska.
Downing Street has rejected a call by NHS leaders to reintroduce greater mask-wearing and a push to encourage mixing outdoors, PA Media reports. PA says:Downing Street has rejected a call by NHS leaders to reintroduce greater mask-wearing and a push to encourage mixing outdoors, PA Media reports. PA says:
And here is a fuller account of what Keir Starmer has been saying about the Sunak family’s tax arrangements on a campaign visit to Sunderland. Like Wes Streeting this morning (see 11.03am), Starmer argued that unfairness was the real problem, not potential breaches of the ministerial code.And here is a fuller account of what Keir Starmer has been saying about the Sunak family’s tax arrangements on a campaign visit to Sunderland. Like Wes Streeting this morning (see 11.03am), Starmer argued that unfairness was the real problem, not potential breaches of the ministerial code.
Starmer accused Rishi Sunak of taxation “hypocrisy” on the grounds that he was putting up taxes for ordinary Britons while his family has been reducing its own tax liabilities. Starmer said:Starmer accused Rishi Sunak of taxation “hypocrisy” on the grounds that he was putting up taxes for ordinary Britons while his family has been reducing its own tax liabilities. Starmer said:
It is Rishi Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty, who has non-dom status, and Sunak’s initial response to this revelation was to insist that her financial affairs were not a matter for him. But the couple implicitly conceded the weakness of this argument at the end of last week, when Murty said she would start paying UK tax on her worldwide income (even though her non-dom status allows her not to), and Starmer is arguing that Sunak must share responsibility for his wife’s decisions.It is Rishi Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty, who has non-dom status, and Sunak’s initial response to this revelation was to insist that her financial affairs were not a matter for him. But the couple implicitly conceded the weakness of this argument at the end of last week, when Murty said she would start paying UK tax on her worldwide income (even though her non-dom status allows her not to), and Starmer is arguing that Sunak must share responsibility for his wife’s decisions.
Starmer said the Sunak family tax arrangements were unfair. He said:Starmer said the Sunak family tax arrangements were unfair. He said:
He challenged Boris Johnson to confirm that no other cabinet ministers have been using non-dom arrangements to reduce their tax. He said:He challenged Boris Johnson to confirm that no other cabinet ministers have been using non-dom arrangements to reduce their tax. He said:
Asked what schemes to reduce tax were unacceptable, Starmer replied:Asked what schemes to reduce tax were unacceptable, Starmer replied:
Starmer’s answer implies that he wants to keep the focus just on non-dom status rather than open up a wider debate about what constitutes tax avoidance.Starmer’s answer implies that he wants to keep the focus just on non-dom status rather than open up a wider debate about what constitutes tax avoidance.
Starmer said that he would expect all his cabinet ministers to pay their taxes in full. He said:Starmer said that he would expect all his cabinet ministers to pay their taxes in full. He said:
As my colleague Jessica Elgot reports, Keir Starmer has said all cabinet ministers should declare whether they have ever used schemes like non-dom status to reduce their tax.As my colleague Jessica Elgot reports, Keir Starmer has said all cabinet ministers should declare whether they have ever used schemes like non-dom status to reduce their tax.
I will post more from the Starmer comments shortly.I will post more from the Starmer comments shortly.
And here is a summary of the main lines from the Downing Street lobby briefing.And here is a summary of the main lines from the Downing Street lobby briefing.
The No 10 spokesperson was unable to confirm that the inquiry into Rishi Sunak’s declarations of ministerial interests will cover his decision to retain his US green card as a minister and chancellor. (See 12.29pm.) Asked about the point of the inquiry, when the Cabinet Office said at the weekend that Lord Geidt, the independent adviser on ministerial standards, was “completely satisfied with the chancellor’s propriety of arrangements”, the spokesperson implied that that statement covered Sunak’s declarations when he became a minister in 2018. The spokesperson also said Boris Johnson has full confidence in Sunak.The No 10 spokesperson was unable to confirm that the inquiry into Rishi Sunak’s declarations of ministerial interests will cover his decision to retain his US green card as a minister and chancellor. (See 12.29pm.) Asked about the point of the inquiry, when the Cabinet Office said at the weekend that Lord Geidt, the independent adviser on ministerial standards, was “completely satisfied with the chancellor’s propriety of arrangements”, the spokesperson implied that that statement covered Sunak’s declarations when he became a minister in 2018. The spokesperson also said Boris Johnson has full confidence in Sunak.
The spokesperson would not say whether or not Johnson knew that Rishi Sunak had a green card when be became chancellor. But she said it was not a requirement to disclose that to the PM. Asked if there might be other ministers with a green card, she said she would not speculate. Asked if he knew if any of his ministers had non-dom status, or had been non-doms in the past, she said ministers have to make relevant declarations.The spokesperson would not say whether or not Johnson knew that Rishi Sunak had a green card when be became chancellor. But she said it was not a requirement to disclose that to the PM. Asked if there might be other ministers with a green card, she said she would not speculate. Asked if he knew if any of his ministers had non-dom status, or had been non-doms in the past, she said ministers have to make relevant declarations.
The spokesperson said Johnson will be at Chequers this week having “a bit of a break” for a couple of days. He plans to “get some rest and spend some time with family”, she said. But he will continue to receive updates, particularly on Ukraine.The spokesperson said Johnson will be at Chequers this week having “a bit of a break” for a couple of days. He plans to “get some rest and spend some time with family”, she said. But he will continue to receive updates, particularly on Ukraine.
The spokesperson said that Johnson was in Kyiv for around five hours on Saturday. She said:The spokesperson said that Johnson was in Kyiv for around five hours on Saturday. She said:
As PA Media reports, the spokesperson said that, upon their return, they held a further full bilateral meeting over dinner. The pair had a starter of goats cheese salad and chicken soup, followed by a main of roast beef and cherry dumplings for dessert. Johnson was accompanied by one member of his private office and his security detail, the spokesperson said.As PA Media reports, the spokesperson said that, upon their return, they held a further full bilateral meeting over dinner. The pair had a starter of goats cheese salad and chicken soup, followed by a main of roast beef and cherry dumplings for dessert. Johnson was accompanied by one member of his private office and his security detail, the spokesperson said.
Neither Sunak nor his family are aware of any trusts they have naming Sunak as a beneficiary, No 10 indicated. But, according to the Independent, Sunak has been named as a beneficiary. No 10 has not issued an on the record statement denying this.Neither Sunak nor his family are aware of any trusts they have naming Sunak as a beneficiary, No 10 indicated. But, according to the Independent, Sunak has been named as a beneficiary. No 10 has not issued an on the record statement denying this.
This is what Angela Rayner, the deputy Labour leader, said in her letter to the PM yesterday calling for an inquiry into Rishi Sunak about why it should cover his decision to hold on to his US green card for so long. She said:This is what Angela Rayner, the deputy Labour leader, said in her letter to the PM yesterday calling for an inquiry into Rishi Sunak about why it should cover his decision to hold on to his US green card for so long. She said:
The full text of the Rayner letter raises several other issues that should be covered by the inquiry and runs to five pages.The full text of the Rayner letter raises several other issues that should be covered by the inquiry and runs to five pages.