LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE

UK Statistics Watchdog Chief Urges Sunak to Clarify Labour Tax Claim Source

The head of Britain's statistical watchdog has advised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to be clearer about the source of his claims regarding the Labour Party's tax plans, suggesting that he may have misled people about their independence. During an election debate with Labour leader Keir Starmer, Sunak stated that 'independent Treasury officials have costed Labour policies,' claiming these plans would result in a two thousand pound tax rise for working households. Labour accused Sunak of lying, as the figure came from a Conservative Party document based on Treasury estimates and Labour's own costings, with key assumptions made by Conservative advisors. Robert Chote, chair of the UK Statistics Authority, criticized the practice of Treasury costing opposition policies and called for its discontinuation. He emphasized the need for clarity on the figure's origin, noting that misleading the public about its verification was problematic. Work and pensions minister Mel Stride defended the Conservatives' use of the two thousand pound figure, referencing Labour's similar actions in twenty ten.

07 June 2024 · 18:12 UTC

The head of Britain's statistical watchdog has advised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to be clearer about the source of his claims regarding the Labour Party's tax plans, suggesting that he may have misled people about their independence.

During an election debate with Labour leader Keir Starmer, Sunak stated that 'independent Treasury officials have costed Labour policies,' claiming these plans would result in a 2,000 pound ($2,560) tax rise for working households.

Labour accused Sunak of lying, as the figure came from a Conservative Party document based on Treasury estimates and Labour's own costings, with key assumptions made by Conservative advisors.

Robert Chote, chair of the UK Statistics Authority, criticized the practice of Treasury costing opposition policies and called for its discontinuation.

He emphasized the need for clarity on the figure's origin, noting that misleading the public about its verification was problematic.

Work and pensions minister Mel Stride defended the Conservatives' use of the 2,000 pound figure, referencing Labour's similar actions in 2010.