Kent households and businesses could face tax hikes after the Chancellor refused to rule out a U-turn on Labour's general election pledge not to raise tax.
00:00During a conference today at Downing Street, Councillor Rachel Reeves commented on Kent County Council's leadership, sparking strong reaction.
00:08Reeves said in Kent County Council and councils they run across Britain, apparently they can't find a single penny,
00:15and instead are going to increase council tax for more than two million people.
00:20It was an outright lie about KCC. I was shocked, to be honest.
00:25This is the Chancellor of the Exchequer. She has got a budget to deliver in just a few weeks' time,
00:32and instead of focusing on the job in hand, she's trying to deflect from her own shortcomings by talking about what's going on in Kent County Council.
00:39I mean, I've never heard anything like it.
00:41The budget will be announced on the 26th of November, which will reveal tax, borrowing and spending plans for the year ahead.
00:48Councillor Rachel Reeves has refused to rule out tax rises, as necessary choices in her upcoming budget will have to be made.
00:57This comes after Sir Keir Starmer's promise to not raise income taxes, VAT or national insurance, leaving many residents of Kent confused and outraged.
01:07Well, I tend not to believe what politicians say anyway. Rather than listen to their words, I look at their actions.
01:16So it doesn't surprise me. It wouldn't surprise me if taxes do go up.
01:21Nobody wants their taxes to go up. I don't actually believe politicians do it unless they really need to.
01:28The new government has made a complete mess of the whole thing. So it's been a pack of lies. You can start to finish it.
01:36Well, naturally, I'm horrified at the thought of it. But on the other hand, how are we going to pay for the services that we receive?
01:45A spokesperson for Medway Council said,
01:47Rachel Reeves' budget shows that Labour is making the fair and responsible choices needed to deliver strong foundations for our economy and to secure Britain's future.
01:58The councillor has been clear that this government will not be swayed by political convenience, but will do what is right.
02:06And after years of instability under the Conservatives, Labour has restored economic credibility, begun rebuilding growth and ensured that fairness and opportunity are at the heart of every decision.
02:19Here in Medway, we'll continue to fight for a fair funding deal that delivers the investment and support our community deserves.
02:27Reeves clarified during the conference today that specific policy choices will be set out on the 26th of November when she delivers the budget to MPs.
02:36But residents of Kent don't seem to be hopeful that their taxes will be unaffected.
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