Coffee House Shots Who will 'take back control' of the economy?
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Oct 29, 2025 Tim Shipman, the political editor at The Spectator, and Michael Simmons, an economist and host of the Reality Chick podcast, dive into the current economic debates. They discuss Kemi Badenoch's increasing confidence at PMQs and her questioning of Labour's tax pledges. Michael forecasts that the public might face potential tax increases, while both explore the implications of the UK's productivity shortfall and growing support for wealth taxes. The duo also critiques Labour's definition of a 'working person' and evaluates the Conservatives' economic strategies.
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Badenoch's PMQs Push Labour On Taxes
- Kemi Badenoch has improved markedly and pressured Labour effectively at PMQs over economic pledges.
- Her questions exposed Keir Starmer's evasiveness on manifesto promises and shifted media focus to Labour's tax intentions.
Income Tax Rise Appears Likely
- Labour looks likely to abandon its pledge not to raise income tax, with a 1p rise strongly signalled.
- A 1p income tax rise would raise about £8–10bn and add roughly £100 a year to the average worker's tax bill.
Productivity Shortfall Creates Big Black Hole
- Productivity downgrades create a multi‑billion pound hole in Labour's fiscal plans needing fixes by 2029–30.
- Rachel Reeves may shift to blaming past events, but that risks exposing Labour's own recent policy choices.