Watch Rachel Reeves’ deputy confronted with litany of mistakes – as millions face MORE tax hikes
Watch Rachel Reeves’ deputy confronted with litany of mistakes – as millions face MORE tax hikes
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RACHEL Reeves' right-hand man refused to admit to a single mistake when confronted over tax hikes, broken promises, and Britain’s flatlining economy. Treasury Minister Darren Jones was grilled on Labour’s economic record on the same day as the Chancellor unveiled a host of pro-growth policies.
![[Screenshot of two men in suits participating in a televised political discussion.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-29-at-13.16.54.png?strip=all&w=960)
In a major speech on Wednesday, Ms Reeves announced a raft of measures to turn the UK economy around as she tried to reset Labour’s economic message—after months of doom-laden warnings. But while the Chancellor talked up Britain’s economic potential, her deputy refused to acknowledge any mistakes made by the government since taking power.
![[Screenshot of a news report showing Chancellor Rachel Reeves discussing economic growth and water company investment.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-reeves-pledge-go-further-967536495.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And he also failed to rule out further tax increases in the Spring. Appearing on our Never Mind The Ballots show, Mr Jones was pressed directly on whether his party had blundered. He replied: "I don't know. I can't think of any...". Political Editor Harry Cole then confronted Mr Jones, pointing to Labour’s decision to hike National Insurance on businesses at a time when companies were already struggling with rising costs.
![[a man in a suit and tie is holding a red folder]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darren-jones-chief-secretary-uk-939283664.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He highlighted the decision to break promises on inheritance tax for farmers, despite ministers previously reassuring the agricultural sector that no such changes were planned. And he challenged Mr Jones on Britain’s stalling growth and the collapse in business confidence under Labour.
On the tax raid on farmers, he defended himself, saying: "Of course, that wasn't in the manifesto, but it wasn't under active consideration in opposition because we didn't know the scale of the money we needed to raise quickly in order to deal with the mess.".
