Andrew Griffith promises tax cuts in every Conservative budget plan

Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith told a packed Labour conference in Birmingham on Tuesday that, if the Conservatives return to power, he will aim to scrap at least one tax in every budget, with the so‑called “mansion tax” at the top of his list. He said the goal would be guided by a “personal north star” of lower, simpler and fairer taxes, but added that cuts would only come when the Treasury could afford them.

Griffith’s pledge comes as the Conservative Party tries to rebuild after its historic defeat in the 2024 general election. Labour has repeatedly accused the Tories of failing to grow the economy during their 14 years in government from 2010 to 2024. The party’s conference is being used to draw a sharp contrast between the two sides, with Labour positioning itself as the champion of tax relief and economic growth while the Conservatives seek to regain voter trust.

The shadow chancellor singled out two specific levies. He said he would abolish the High‑Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS), set to start in 2028 on homes in England worth more than £2 million, calling it an “anti‑growth tax” that would distort the housing market. He also promised to scrap the Extended Packaging Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which forces firms to fund the collection and recycling of their packaging, describing it as a policy the “old Conservative Party went along with”. Griffith cited Labour’s “golden economic rule”, which splits any identified savings half for deficit reduction and half for tax cuts, and likened his approach to that of former Tory chancellor Nigel Lawson. He reaffirmed Labour’s support for the state‑pension triple lock, despite his own 2021 criticism of the measure.

If Labour wins the next election, Griffith’s tax‑cut agenda could reshape fiscal policy and influence the housing market, business costs and pension expectations. The promise puts pressure on the Conservatives to defend the HVCTS and EPR, both of which are likely to become focal points in the next campaign. How Labour plans to fund the cuts while adhering to its golden rule will be closely watched by economists and voters alike, as the debate over taxes and growth intensifies ahead of the next general election.