# Andy Burnham urged to rule out tax rises in next month's Budget > Burnham faces pressure to avoid tax hikes as critics call him 'tax and spend socialist'. - Title: Andy Burnham urged to rule out tax rises in next month's… - Summary: Burnham faces pressure to avoid tax hikes as critics call him 'tax and spend socialist'. Andy Burnham warned of difficult Budget decisions after being… - Keywords: andy burnham, budget, tax rises, chancellor john healey, shadow chancellor andrew griffith, bank of england, fiscal policy, uk government, news, entertainment, Andy, Burnham - Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16136785/Andy-Burnham-urged-rule-tax-rises-months-Budget-stung-jibe-hes-just-tax-spend-socialist.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss - Published: 2026-09-16T21:00:46+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: andy burnham, budget, tax rises, chancellor john healey, shadow chancellor andrew griffith, bank of england, fiscal policy, uk government, news, entertainment ## Andy Burnham urged to rule out tax rises Andy Burnham warned of difficult decisions in next month's Budget. > That does not tell the story. We are not that. ## Shadow chancellor calls for tax moratorium Andrew Griffith urged a tax rise freeze for next month's Budget. > Labour are squeezing small businesses dry ## Inflation hits 3.1% Inflation rose to 3.1% last month due to petrol prices. > sharp price rises for petrol and diesel ## Former Bank officials criticize government Bank of England chiefs warned markets distrust Labour's fiscal plans. > there is a question mark about whether this government is willing to take the difficult decisions ## Tax and spend label stings Burnham Andy Haldane called Burnham a 'tax and spend socialist'. > this is a traditional tax and spend socialist government with better TikTok videos ## Burnham defends fiscal policy Burnham said he took difficult decisions by scrapping digital ID plans. > We are not that ## Chancellor faces £15bn shortfall Government needs £15billion to cover budget shortfall. > the fiscal Achilles' heel of this Government ## Tax system criticized Griffith said Labour's tax system is too complex for businesses. > Labour's "jobs tax" and business rates raid have done immense damage ## Interest rates at 3.75% Bank of England held interest rates at 3.75%. > they are now forecasting as many as four rate rises ## Borrowing costs hit 28-year high Government borrowing costs reached 28-year high. > Government borrowing costs have soared in recent weeks ## Burnham warns of economic challenges Burnham said economy has resilience but faces global challenges. > the picture around the world is challenging ## Chancellor promises breathing space Healey pledged to provide breathing space for cost of living. > restoring hope won't happen overnight ## Inflation driven by fuel prices Petrol and diesel prices drove recent inflation rise. > sharp price rises for petrol and diesel ## Middle East war impacts inflation Middle East conflict raised global inflation rates. > the war in the Middle East was impacting on inflation worldwide ## Tax system reforms proposed Griffith called for simpler tax system and cuts. > We need to cut taxes and make the tax system easier to navigate ## Budget challenges ahead Burnham warned of difficult decisions in next month's Budget. > the Budget is going to be challenging ## Key takeaway Andy Burnham warned of difficult Budget decisions after being criticized for being a 'tax and spend socialist' by former Bank of England officials.