Conservative figures have urged Burnham to publicly rule out any tax increases in the Budget, saying clear reassurance is needed to protect business confidence. The appeal comes amid growing speculation about potential fiscal changes ahead of the government's fiscal statement.
Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith told reporters that rumours of new taxes were damaging the economic climate. "These rumours of further taxes are causing Britain's wealth creators to flee the country," he said, arguing that uncertainty was driving market and investor concerns.
Conservatives framed their demand as a step to stabilise confidence among firms and individuals, saying an explicit commitment against tax rises would help stem what they described as a risk of capital flight. They urged Burnham to use the Budget as an opportunity to provide clarity on the government's fiscal intentions.
The party's intervention places pressure on the government to set out a clear fiscal stance and to address the concerns raised by their economic team. No response from Burnham was included in the Conservatives' statement, and it is not clear whether ministers will formally commit to ruling out tax increases when they deliver the Budget.