Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch delivered a sharp parliamentary response to the budget, directing precise criticism at vulnerable government ministers while arguing that conditions deteriorated under Labour leadership.
Replying to an unseen budget address is considered a difficult task in politics, yet Chancellor John Healey faced pointed scrutiny from the Conservative leader. She argued that debt, unemployment, taxes, and interest rates all increased under the current administration, telling them it was their mess to own.
- Millions of workers will get pay rises in April next year as minimum wage set to rise by 3.9%
- Fuel duty was frozen for drivers in win for Sun campaign
- Healey committed to hit 3% of spending on defence by 2030
- Brits in council tax bands A to D will get £100 off their energy bills
- Blow to betting as machine game duty rises from 20 to 25%
- Gas standing charges were scrapped but households will still be hit with higher bills
- Ukraine will receive an extra £10bn from Britain
- Millions of pensioners to pay tax for first time, while some shielded
- Chancellor will slash £800m of red tape for businesses
- The surcharge on bank profits above £100m from 3% to 6%
Ministers Angela Rayner and Lucy Powell attempted to interrupt the remarks, but Badenoch redirected her focus toward Powell by asking if she had anything to add or could calculate figures.
Badenoch also criticized Healey regarding defence commitments, mocking the timeline for meeting NATO targets given ongoing geopolitical tensions, and joked about needing a drink in the event of a Russian attack.
