PA Media
Sir Keir Starmer did not rule out an increase in national insurance for employers in the Budget, in an interview with BBC Breakfast.
Labour's 2024 manifesto excludes increases in national insurance, income tax and VAT.
But Sir Keir sidestepped the question of whether Labour's promise not to raise taxes on “workers” covered employers' National Insurance (NI).
Speaking at Downing Street, Sir Keir said this month's Budget was “going to be tough” but would “focus on rebuilding our country”.
Employers currently pay NI at the rate of 13.8% on all employee wages above £175 per week.
Speculation is growing that the NI rate paid by employers could rise next month to plug a £22 billion “black hole” that Labor claims to have discovered in the country's finances.
On Monday, Rachel Reeves said Labour's election pledge not to increase NI for “workers” was linked to the employee element, as opposed to the amount paid by employers.
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