Starmer leads fightback as budget row rumbles on for Reeves

Following the recent budget, a political dispute has emerged, with Conservatives accusing Labour's Chancellor Rachel Reeves of misrepresenting the rationale behind tax increases. They allege Reeves used downgraded productivity forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) as a justification, despite the OBR also upgrading wage and tax receipt forecasts. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch further accused Reeves' team of manipulating markets by selectively briefing positive OBR news. In response, Labour leader Keir Starmer is attempting to shift focus back to the government's broader economic plan, arguing it's a long-term strategy, not just short-term fixes. The Prime Minister is also seeking to defend the budget and refocus attention on his long-term economic goals.

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