Lucy Powell says Labour must stand by promise not to raise key taxes

Lucy Powell speaking to party activists and supporters after winning the deputy leadership contest in October. Photograph: Lucy North/PA

Labour should stand by its manifesto commitment not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT, its deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has said in a challenge that will put pressure on Rachel Reeves.

With the Treasury examining whether to raise income tax to plug a £30bn fiscal hole, Powell said it was “really important we stand by the promises we were elected on and do what we said we would do”.