**Labour Vows No Tax Hike on Working People's Payslips Amid Controversy**

In a recent statement, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson reassured that "working people" would not face increased taxes on their payslips following the upcoming Budget announcement. This assertion comes amid ongoing scrutiny over Labour’s election pledge to avoid raising National Insurance, income tax, or VAT for working individuals.

Phillipson clarified on the program “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg” that this commitment pertains to individuals "whose main source of income is the income they earn from going out to work." However, she did not specify whether business owners fall under this category.

Criticism from the Conservative camp continues, with Andrew Griffith, the shadow science secretary, accusing Labour of misleading promises. He criticized the Labour government for alleging that the previous Conservative administration left a "£22bn black hole" in public finances.

Expected measures from Chancellor Rachel Reeves include potential tax increases on asset sales and security, adjustments to inheritance tax, and freezing income tax thresholds. Prolonging the existing tax threshold freeze could shift more individuals into higher tax bands, potentially generating £7bn in additional revenue.

Phillipson emphasized Labour’s commitment: "When people look at payslips they will not see higher taxes." She further noted the government's intention to alleviate the cycle of increasing taxes on working people to foster growth. These anticipated efforts come as government ministers face "tough choices," attributed to fiscal challenges inherited from the former Conservative government.

Griffith doubled down on his critique, likening the current administration’s conduct to “the worst form of dodgy car hire firm, conjuring up small print that never existed." Moreover, the projected increase in National Insurance for employers could raise £20bn, but businesses argue it could inhibit hiring and dampen the Labour government's growth objectives.

Expert insights also weighed in on the matter. Andy Haldane, a former Bank of England economist, remarked that the distinctions being made about working people were ineffective, suggesting that almost everyone might contribute more eventually to bridge the financial gap. Meanwhile, Paul Johnson of the IFS indicated that to meet the target of reducing debt relative to the economy’s size within five years, the government would need to make "eye-wateringly tough choices."

The Budget, anticipated next week, is poised to delineate these strategies and their potential impact on the British public.