![Burnham Backtracks on Proposals to Raise Personal Tax Allowance</TITLE]Andy Burnham has distanced himself from previous remarks regarding an increase to the tax-free personal allowance.The current £12,570 threshold has remained frozen since 2021, effectively pulling more taxpayers into the system as wages rise.Speaking to the Times over the weekend, Burnham noted that the “frustration about the personal allowance” expressed by constituents during the Makerfield by-election campaign had remained “lodged in my mind.”On Monday, the Prime Minister informed reporters that the matter would be reviewed during the upcoming budget, though he acknowledged that any adjustments would be costly and “difficult given the financial circumstances in which we find ourselves.”Sources close to Burnham have since clarified to BBC News that adjusting the personal allowance was not a core component of his initial cost-of-living strategy.This clarification follows comments made during Burnham’s first cabinet meeting, where he emphasized the need for “fiscal discipline” and a commitment to upholding fiscal rules, even if it requires “difficult decisions.”Burnham remains committed to the 2024 Labour manifesto, which pledges not to raise the basic, higher, or additional income tax rates. This commitment effectively precludes raising the top tax rate for high earners to fund a higher personal allowance.The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that unfreezing the current threshold could result in an annual cost of between £8.5bn and £9bn.Burnham remarked on Monday that his earlier comments were intended to demonstrate “visibility of the issue and the impact it’s had.”While he reiterated that the issue would be “looked at” in the Budget, he concluded: “Obviously it’s difficult, given the financial circumstances in which we find ourselves.”](https://i2.wp.com/ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/branded_news/1200/cpsprodpb/c0f0/live/aef0e940-855e-11f1-bee8-53ce494e1abc.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Burnham Backtracks on Proposals to Raise Personal Tax Allowance</TITLE]Andy Burnham has distanced himself from previous remarks regarding an increase to the tax-free personal allowance.The current £12,570 threshold has remained frozen since 2021, effectively pulling more taxpayers into the system as wages rise.Speaking to the Times over the weekend, Burnham noted that the “frustration about the personal allowance” expressed by constituents during the Makerfield by-election campaign had remained “lodged in my mind.”On Monday, the Prime Minister informed reporters that the matter would be reviewed during the upcoming budget, though he acknowledged that any adjustments would be costly and “difficult given the financial circumstances in which we find ourselves.”Sources close to Burnham have since clarified to BBC News that adjusting the personal allowance was not a core component of his initial cost-of-living strategy.This clarification follows comments made during Burnham’s first cabinet meeting, where he emphasized the need for “fiscal discipline” and a commitment to upholding fiscal rules, even if it requires “difficult decisions.”Burnham remains committed to the 2024 Labour manifesto, which pledges not to raise the basic, higher, or additional income tax rates. This commitment effectively precludes raising the top tax rate for high earners to fund a higher personal allowance.The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that unfreezing the current threshold could result in an annual cost of between £8.5bn and £9bn.Burnham remarked on Monday that his earlier comments were intended to demonstrate “visibility of the issue and the impact it’s had.”While he reiterated that the issue would be “looked at” in the Budget, he concluded: “Obviously it’s difficult, given the financial circumstances in which we find ourselves.”")
The Foreign Office (FO) has announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Manila on Wednesday to take part in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting.
According to a statement posted on X, Dar’s upcoming schedule includes attending the ARF plenary session and participating in various bilateral discussions with international counterparts on the sidelines of the summit.
Upon his arrival, Dar was welcomed by Elmer G. Cato, Assistant Secretary at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, alongside Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Asima Rabbani, and other visiting officials.
The high-level summit will convene foreign ministers and delegates from 27 ARF member states, with the ASEAN Secretary-General also expected to be in attendance.
Dar is set to engage in deliberations regarding political and security matters impacting the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on fostering peace, stability, and multilateral cooperation through diplomatic engagement.
In addition to the plenary sessions, the Foreign Minister will conduct bilateral meetings with his Philippine counterpart and several other regional dignitaries.
The Foreign Office noted that the ARF, established in 1994, serves as a vital platform for multilateral dialogue on regional security. Pakistan has been an active participant since joining the forum in 2004, consistently contributing to the organization’s regional objectives and programs.
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- Burnham Backtracks on Proposals to Raise Personal Tax Allowance</TITLE]Andy Burnham has distanced himself from previous remarks regarding an increase to the tax-free personal allowance.The current £12,570 threshold has remained frozen since 2021, effectively pulling more taxpayers into the system as wages rise.Speaking to the Times over the weekend, Burnham noted that the “frustration about the personal allowance” expressed by constituents during the Makerfield by-election campaign had remained “lodged in my mind.”On Monday, the Prime Minister informed reporters that the matter would be reviewed during the upcoming budget, though he acknowledged that any adjustments would be costly and “difficult given the financial circumstances in which we find ourselves.”Sources close to Burnham have since clarified to BBC News that adjusting the personal allowance was not a core component of his initial cost-of-living strategy.This clarification follows comments made during Burnham’s first cabinet meeting, where he emphasized the need for “fiscal discipline” and a commitment to upholding fiscal rules, even if it requires “difficult decisions.”Burnham remains committed to the 2024 Labour manifesto, which pledges not to raise the basic, higher, or additional income tax rates. This commitment effectively precludes raising the top tax rate for high earners to fund a higher personal allowance.The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that unfreezing the current threshold could result in an annual cost of between £8.5bn and £9bn.Burnham remarked on Monday that his earlier comments were intended to demonstrate “visibility of the issue and the impact it’s had.”While he reiterated that the issue would be “looked at” in the Budget, he concluded: “Obviously it’s difficult, given the financial circumstances in which we find ourselves.”
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