Kirstie Allsopp has launched a scathing attack on Rachel Reeves on social media. It comes after reports that Reeves is expected to announce a package of tax rises on 26 November. The Channel 4 presenter, Kirstie Allsopp, known for her work on Location, Location, Location, reshared numerous tweets by other users who have complained about the potential tax hikes. One person moaned on X: “We had a couple view our house and want to make an offer, but not until the budget comes so they can evaluate what the tax implications will be. The market is being crippled.” Kirstie Allsopp responded to this with a joke saying: “This! Well done @RachelReevesMP cracking result for the 2nd year running.”
She also posted a furious tweet, ranting: “It is @RachelReevesMP who created the fear of her budget. The first budget did real damage, then she flew the kites about her next budget in early summer, while setting a late November date, now she is complaining at the appalling impact it has had. Really?!”
Another user on X also moaned and typed: “I run my own business producing reports for surveyors, it’s dead and I’m losing so much money.” This prompted Kirstie Allsopp to reply: “I could retweet this kind of thing all day. @RachelReevesMP needs to do something before the budget to revive confidence.”
Speculation over the likely contents of the November budget has been fever-pitch for several months and intensified following the government’s U-turns, notably on the Winter Fuel Payments.
Economists broadly agree that tax rises are likely, as borrowing more would be prohibitive given the bond market’s concerns about the UK’s fiscal position.
The Chancellor announced tax rises worth £40 billion a year at her first Budget last November, including hikes to payroll taxes paid by employers, and insisted she would not have to repeat the move in the future.
Speaking to broadcasters in Washington DC ahead of the the International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meeting, the chancellor said: “I’ve always been very clear that we will continue to prioritise economic and fiscal stability in the UK.”
She added: “As we get the forecast, and as we develop our plans, of course we are looking at further measures on tax and spending, to make sure that the public finances always add up.”