Prime Minister Keir Starmer has refused to rule out the possibility of tax increases in the upcoming autumn budget, following a significant reversal on welfare reform policies that has left a five billion pound shortfall in public finances.

During a recent session of Prime Minister's Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch challenged Starmer to provide assurances against future tax hikes.

Starmer responded by stating that no prime minister or chancellor would preemptively outline future budgets from the dispatch box.

The government's decision to abandon planned cuts to disability benefits, specifically the Personal Independence Payment, came after a rebellion by nearly fifty Labour MPs.

This U-turn has raised concerns about the government's ability to meet its fiscal targets without additional revenue measures.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who appeared emotional during the parliamentary session, has been at the center of the controversy, with some critics labeling her a "human shield" for the prime minister's decisions.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner acknowledged the financial implications of the welfare policy reversal, stating that the projected costs of welfare are increasing rapidly.

Economists from the Institute for Fiscal Studies have indicated that the government's revised plans may not yield net savings by the end of the decade, potentially necessitating tax increases to bridge the fiscal gap.

While the Labour government has pledged not to raise taxes on "working people," it has not specified which taxes might be adjusted to address the budgetary shortfall.

The situation has led to speculation about potential tax measures, including a wealth tax, to compensate for the abandoned welfare savings.