Greens react to Rachel Reeves support for taxes on wealth


/ by Green Party

Reacting to revelations in the Telegraph that Rachel Reeves supported at least five taxes on wealth while a back bencher, co-leader of the Green Party, Adrian Ramsay MP, said:

“A former leader of her party backs it, so too do several unions. But it now turns out that Rachel Reeves herself backed wealth taxes – including equalising capital gains and income tax and reforming inheritance tax – while a back bencher.

“The chancellor needs to listen to the resounding cries for the introduction of taxes on wealth, including from the public – a new YouGov poll shows 75% are in favour of a 2% tax on wealth above £10 million. Rachel Reeves also needs to listen to Rachel Reeves, as it is clear that she, like the Green Party, has long championed the idea of taxing wealth fairly.”

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One year on: Labour ‘haemorrhaging’ support to the Greens over Gaza and welfare cuts

Labour is ‘haemorrhaging’ support to the Greens over its failure to oppose the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza and its plans to slash support for disabled people.  

The Green Party is now polling consistently around 10%, a 43% increase from their 2024 vote share that saw them gain a record vote count of close to two million, while polling this week shows that 2024 Labour voters are more likely to say they would now vote for the Greens than for Reform. Among young people, 30% of under-30s now say they will vote Green compared to just 25% saying they will vote Labour. 

Greens point to their consistently principled approach to issues such as Gaza, disability benefits, and the climate crisis as key reasons why they are winning support from Labour in droves.  

“A year into this Labour government, all voters have seen from them is disappointment, failure and capitulation,” said Adrian Ramsay MP, Co-Leader of The Green Party. “From failing to take decisive action to prevent the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza to cruel cuts to support for disabled people – all across the country, people are feeling that the Labour party they voted for has abandoned them.  

“That’s playing out in the support we’re seeing coming from Labour to the Greens, and the u-turns we’ve seen from Starmer over winter fuel payments and welfare cuts show that he knows he risks losing not just votes but seats to the Greens at the next election.”  

Carla Denyer, MP for Bristol Central and Co-Leader of the Green Party, said:  

“After a litany of broken promises, it’s no surprise that Labour are haemorrhaging support to the Greens. Labour promised to make life better for people, but instead they kept the two-child benefit cap and stripped winter fuel payments from pensioners. They promised to tackle the climate crisis, but they’ve given the go-ahead to climate-wrecking airport expansion. They promised to end the housing crisis, but they’ve given developers a blank cheque to bulldoze nature to build luxury homes while failing to build the social housing we need.” 

Denyer continued, “Meanwhile, voters have seen the Greens consistently standing up for the values that they hold dear: protecting the planet for future generations, opposing genocide, and supporting the most vulnerable in society.”  

The Green MPs point to a series of successes over the past 12 months, including:   

  • Leading the opposition to the government’s welfare cuts which led to an 11th hour climbdown   
  • Helped to win the reversal of winter fuel cuts and expansion of free school meals 
  • Raising the alarm about the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza  
  • Successfully pushing for solar panels to be put on all new homes  
  • Putting pressure on government to make it easier for councils to crack down on rogue landlords, leading to a change in the rules.

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Greens set out alternative to welfare cuts to tackle poverty and give dignity to Disabled people 


/ by Green Party

As the Government struggles to get its welfare reforms through parliament, Green Party MPs have produced a report detailing an alternative approach. They say that the case for “delaying the proposed changes in order to get change right is compelling” and are urging MPs to vote down the reforms later today.

Amongst the proposals Green MPs recommend are:

  • Withdrawing the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill
  •  Increasing all disability benefits by 5 per cent and Universal Credit and legacy benefits by £40 a week
  • Working with Disabled people to co-produce a social security system that is fair, humane and accessible – and which joins up the support for Disabled people to help with additional costs
  • Developing interventions that are genuinely good value, lift people up and take an evidence-based approach to supporting people into work
  • Learning from the OBR’s assessment and equality impact assessments so any changes deliver on the stated objectives and do not push people into deeper poverty.

Green MP Siân Berry said:

“The Government’s process of bringing forward proposals for change has been marked by chaos. Decision making has been irresponsible, leaving disabled people feeling uncertain and anxious – even terrified. Their voices have not been front and centre of the debate about how to build a better social security system and the proposed changes represent a serious threat to Disabled people’s quality of life, dignity and equality.

“Equalising capital gains tax with income tax would not only help raise funds for welfare payments but also be fairer as currently working disabled people on PIP are paying higher rates of tax on their income than wealthy people living off share dividends.

“Change can be done right if it’s done with Disabled people rather than to them. We urge all MPs to vote against the welfare cuts tonight – let’s work together to create something more compassionate that lifts everyone up and supports the wellbeing of Disabled people.”

Note

The Lifting Up report from the Green MPs was their submission to the ‘Pathways to Work Green Paper’ consultation which closed on 30th June 2025.

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Labour welfare rebels should “stand firm in the face of this inadequate offer”


/ by Green Party

Responding to the government’s proposed changes to disability benefits, Green Party MP, Sian Berry said,

“The responsibility is now with other Labour MPs to stand firm in the face of this inadequate offer. Political pressure means a reprieve for some who were set to be cruelly harmed, but this will leave Disabled people, young people and those who will become sick and injured in the future, high and dry. The Prime Minister should withdraw the Bill, take some considerable time to consult with Disabled people and come back with something humane and workable.”

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NATO summit has left us all more exposed


/ by Green Party

Reacting to the close of the NATO Summit, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns said:

“NATO leaders have fawned over a bullying, bellicose US President and agreed to a long-term doubling of arms spending that will come at the cost of cuts in vital health and public services across member states. 

“The NATO summit has left us all more exposed to the threat of nuclear war and failed to offer people across the world a strategic vision of a more peaceful world. 

“Here in the UK, the Labour government has already slashed aid for the most vulnerable around the world to make way for increased arms spending and next week will try to force through cuts to disability support to pay for more. 

“We do not need new US-controlled fighter jets to carry US-controlled nuclear weapons paid for by UK taxpayers that will make the world a more dangerous place. 

“The UK government should be leading efforts to reduce and eliminate nuclear arsenals, not paying for the US to base more of them here. 

“There is a choice to be made between welfare and warfare. 

“Genuine security means making sure the most vulnerable have the support needed for a decent life and we all have a government focussed on tackling the biggest long-term threats to human security – climate breakdown, global inequality, pandemics. 

“Real security is built on social, economic, and environmental resilience, not more nuclear weapons. 

“Green MPs will be opposing the government’s welfare cuts next week and offering a real alternative that puts people’s welfare and the planet’s future first.” 

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