Martin Lewis slams Tories over 'misrepresenting' tax rise claim: 'No where did I talk about taxes!'
Martin Lewis is hitting back at claims made by the Conservatives online
GMB/PA
Martin Lewis has hit back at claims from the Conservative Party that he has been informed of potential tax rises under a Labour-led Government.
The financial journalist took to social media and rebuked the accusation after the Tories posted an edited clip of him appearing on Good Morning Britain (GMB) where he discussed his meeting with a senior member of the Official Opposition.
In the clip, Lewis stated: "I had a conversation with a senior member of the Labour Party, a private conversation, as I do with both parties.
"The exact phrase they use with me, when I asked about a particular policy, is 'we're not our putting it in our manifesto because I can't commit we'll do it but it is my aim we will do it'."
On X, formerly Twitter, the Conservatives posted the 22-second clip of the money saving expert and suggested this conversation was in reference to potential tax hikes.
As part of the clip, the Tories included the caption: "They're [the Labour Party] not telling you the full truth.
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The money saving expert said he did not discuss tax with the senior Labour Party member
ITV/THE MARTIN LEIWIS MONEY SHOW LIVE "Labour have said they wouldn't put up your taxes. But it's now becoming clear that they have every intention to put them up."
This provoked the ire of Martin Lewis who slammed the post as misleading to social media users. The founder of Money Saving Expert replied: "No where in this comment do I talk about taxes.
"And the policy that I discussed (I will keep private as it was private) was not about taxes, or tax rises, it was about something that would be a positive change."
Reacting to the clash, X users sided with the financial journalist over the Tories. One user said: "You should be very very angry that the Tories are misrepresenting you in this way. You’re are an extremely well respected public figure who is at pains to be non political, and it’s shameful that they are exploiting this for political gain."
Going into July 4's General Election, both the Conservatives and Labour have slammed the other's fiscal promises found in their respective manifestos.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have pledged not to raise income tax, National Insurance or VAT if they win power.
Furthermore, representatives from both parties have said there will be reform of council tax bands under the next Parliament.
However, the Tories and Labour have stopped short of promising to end the current freeze on tax thresholds which Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said will remain in place until 2028.
Experts have cited this policy as being the reason Britons have been hurt by fiscal drag, which occurs when incomes rise at a time when allowances remain at the same rate.
As a result of this, taxpayers are finding themselves dragged into higher brackets and losing more of their hard-earned cash to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
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The Conservatives are under fire for their post on social media
PALast year, Martin Lewis previously warned Britons of the danger posed by this tax policy which both parties have yet to scrap.
On X, the money expert said: "The biggest tax rise in recent years has been 'fiscal drag'.
"This means freezing the amount you start paying different income tax until 2028 while there's high inflation and therefore wage rises."
GB News has contact the Conservative Party for comment.
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