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Labour not looking to raise taxes to fund benefits, minister says after WhatsApp messages revealed

The Guardian Politics Tuesday 02 June 2026, 08:57 UTC By Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor 1 min read
Key Points

Nick Thomas-Symonds says messages between Pat McFadden and Peter Mandelson are ‘embarrassing’ UK politics live – latest updatesLabour MPs are not looking to raise taxes to fund more benefits, the cabinet minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has said. In messages between the work and pensions secretary, Pat McFadden, and Peter Mandelson released on Monday, McFadden wrote: “Every meeting I have is: ‘Who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others?’ They’re asking the wrong questions.”

Nick Thomas-Symonds says messages between Pat McFadden and Peter Mandelson are ‘embarrassing’

Labour MPs are not looking to raise taxes to fund more benefits, the cabinet minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has said.

In messages between the work and pensions secretary, Pat McFadden, and Peter Mandelson released on Monday, McFadden wrote: “Every meeting I have is: ‘Who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others?’ They’re asking the wrong questions.”

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WhatsApp (ORG) Nick Thomas-Symonds (PERSON) Pat McFadden (PERSON) Peter Mandelson (PERSON) UK (LOCATION) McFadden (PERSON)
Originally published by The Guardian Politics Read original →

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