Rachel Reeves faces full wrath of Britons at ultimate betrayal of trust - 'no way back'

Rachell Reeves can expect fury this month if she breaks her manifesto commitment not to increase income tax, National Insurance or VAT. Exclusive polling reveals just one in five people (21%) would support breaking the pledge to deal with a sudden hike in Government borrowing costs, and just 29% would back a move to prevent an increase in debt.

Even if the country went to war, just 44% would support abandoning the landmark manifesto pledge. The More In Common polling found the only circumstances in which a majority would accept the move is if it was needed to prevent cuts to the NHS, schools or other public services (53%), and if the taxes fell only on the highest earners (56%).

It is reported the Chancellor has told the Budget watchdog, the Office for Budgetary Responsibility, that she plans to increase income tax. She is thought to face a black hole of around £30billion in the public finances and is under pressure to create a "buffer" so the country can survive economic shocks.

The Taxpayers' Alliance calculated that a 2p rise in income tax would cost a couple on average earnings £1,057.96. It says in order to make up for this loss they would have to cut their grocery bill by around a third.

Jonathan Eida of the TaxPayers' Alliance, warned: "Taxpayers will be rightly livid if they are told to drastically cut back on their own spending, given the state's complete inability to cut back on its own. Rachel Reeves couldn't even slightly slow the increase in the benefits bill, yet after years of a cost of living crisis households are being told to squeeze their own budgets ever further.

"The Chancellor should be demanding that ministers find significant savings, rather than coming after their constituents once again."

Shadow Chancellor, Sir Mel Stride said: "Before the election, Rachel Reeves told Britain there'd be no tax rises. Within months she broke that promise - hitting workers and businesses with £40billion of new taxes.

"Reeves said it was a one-off, but she's coming back for more - all because she's made the wrong choices. No matter how much finger pointing the Chancellor does, the public is clear - raising taxes again would be the ultimate betrayal of trust."

A Labour MP said there was "massive" worry in party ranks about the prospect of Ms Reeves breaking a manifesto promise - but also despair about the state of the Government.

The MP said it was "stupid" for the Government to have ruled out raising the taxes, adding: "The one thing you can never get away from is being incompetent. The general sense that's out there now is we're incompetent.

"I think there's no way back."

A Treasury spokesperson said: "The Chancellor has set out the context for the Budget, recognising global and long-term economic challenges. It will continue to build the strong foundations to secure Britain's future and on the priorities of the British people - protecting the NHS, tackling cost of living and reducing national debt."

Louis O'Geran of More In Common said: "Breaking a key tax promise is likely to face a backlash and could risk further eroding public trust in politicians. If there is a way through for the Government, it lies in demonstrating fairness in the tax rises, showing that the burden falls on the wealthiest, and making it clear that the measures are there to protect vital public services."