After Labour’s election-winning manifesto pledged not to “increase taxes on working people,” the prime minister was challenged to define what he meant by a “working” person. However, it has not been made clear exactly who that includes.
After ministers refused to rule out increasing national insurance on companies in the budget, which tax experts say will eventually be passed on to employees and workers, for example, through reduced pay, the definition argument heated up.
Someone who “goes out and earns their living, usually paid in a sort of monthly check,” according to Sir Keir, is a working person.
The prime minister responded, “Well, they wouldn’t come within my definition,” when asked if he would consider a working person to be someone whose income came from assets like shares or property by News’ political editor Beth Rigby.
