Jonathan Hordle/ITV
Conservative claims that a Labour government would hike taxes by £2,000 have been torn apart following the first leader’s debate of the General Election.
In his opening pitch to voters on ITV, prime minister Rishi Sunak sought to draw dividing lines with his rival as he claimed Sir Keir would “raid” pension pots and raise taxes on families.
Sunak said Sir Keir would “reverse all of the changes I’ve made” which would “cost everyone and you thousands of pounds”, seemingly ignoring the fact that taxes currently stand at the highest level since 1948.
The Labour leader hit back saying “this £2,000 he keeps saying it’s going to cost is absolute garbage.”
Sir Keir said: “This election is all about a choice. More of the chaos and division we’ve seen for the last 14 years or turning the page and rebuilding with Labour.
“I have ambition for our country. I have a practical plan to deliver it.”
The £38 billion/ £2,000 tax attack has also been rubbished by commentators following the debate, with people pointing out that the chief Treasury civil servant wrote to Labour two days ago saying the figure “should not be presented as having been produced by the civil service”
Jess Phillips dubbed Sunak a “pound shop Johnson” over the tax claims, while ITV’s Paul Brand suggested the figure could be the new £350 million per week banded around during the Brexit referendum.
Nick Elderly and Victoria Derbyshire both debunked the £2,000 claim on the BBC, while even the Daily Mail’s Dan Hodges said he wasn’t buying it.
Related: Audience laughs at Rishi Sunak over NHS figures on ITV leaders debate
