Gove challenged on tax burden after Sunak published tax returns

Trevor Phillips puts to Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove that the tax burden remains extremely high, and asks if he wants to see it reduced at the budget next month.

Mr Gove says that “because of the successful management of the economy… at the forthcoming budget, I know that the chancellor wants to do everything possible to help working people”.

But he “can’t pre-empt what the chancellor’s going to say” in just under a month.

He says the tax burden is as a result of measures taken to help during the COVID pandemic.

Trevor then turns to Rishi Sunak, who paid an effective tax rate of around 23% in the 2022/23 tax year – less proportionately than a nurse pays.

Mr Gove says it is “invidious” to look at other people’s tax affairs, and adds: “It’s important for everyone to fully pay their taxes.

“It’s also important however, rather than looking at the tax affairs of any individual, to look at the tax policy of the government.”

Minister defends Sunak after controversial transgender jibe

Rishi Sunak caused outrage this week by making a transgender jibe in the Commons while the mother of murdered transgender girl Brianna Ghey was in parliament.

Asked if the PM should reflect on that, as suggested by Commons leader Penny Mordaunt, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove replies: “No. I think that the prime minister was more likely drawing attention to the fact that Keir Starmer has U-turned 60 times.

“I think that the prime minister was absolutely right to draw attention to that.”

Gove denies that Badenoch is his ‘protégé’

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove denies that fellow minister Kemi Badenoch is his “protégé” amid suspicions that she is on leadership manoeuvres.

He says it is “wrong” to suggest that, and notes that such descriptors often apply only to female politicians.

“Anyone who knows Kemi Badenoch will know that she’s her own person.”

He adds that the thinks “the world of Kemi”, and points also to “a number of immensely talented” people around the cabinet table.