Rachel Reeves has snubbed GB News today as she delivered a pre-budget briefing.
Speaking after the event, Political Editor Christopher Hope said the briefing “felt like going to the dentist, having anaesthetic, and then waiting three weeks for the tooth to be pulled”.
He said: “I had my hand up for GB News, the People’s Channel, we’ve been the biggest news channel in the country for four months running.
“But she looked at me and ignored the question.”
Christopher Hope said he had his hand up but was ignored
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GB NEWS
GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes called the snub “a real shame” for viewers hoping to hear from the channel.
Christopher pointed to the fact that the Chancellor repeatedly refused to rule out breaking manifesto pledges on VAT, income tax, and National Insurance.
He said: “Fascinating, isn’t it? I’ve never been to a press conference like that.
“With 22 days to go until the Budget, the Chancellor appeared to give the first third of a Budget speech but didn’t give us the conclusion, which is that taxes are going to go up.
“It was like going to the dentist, having anaesthetic, and then waiting three weeks for the tooth to be pulled. That’s what it felt like sitting in the front row.
“She talked, of course, about how ‘we all have to contribute to the effort’ of bringing down the cost of living, tackling NHS waiting lists, and reducing the national debt.
“She’s got choices she can make here. She could try and cut capital investment, but she’s choosing not to do that.
“Several times under questioning, she refused to rule out breaking her manifesto pledges not to increase VAT, income tax, or National Insurance.
“I think she simply stoked the flames of speculation about tax increases.”
Ms Reeves refused to rule out increases to taxes, saying she will make the “necessary choices” in her forthcoming Budget.
Speaking on the challenges of the past year, the Chancellor said: “The world has thrown even more challenges our way,” adding that her Budget will focus on growth and fairness.
The Budget is expected on November 26, with speculation growing as to what it may entail.
Labour had previously pledged not to increase income tax, VAT, or National Insurance in its general election manifesto.