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Chancellor Rachel Reeves has refused to stand by Labour's election vow not to hike income tax, VAT or national insurance at the Budget. It came as Ms Reeves used a rare pre-Budget speech to say "each must do our bit" to build the Britain of a future and "contribute to that effort". Appearing to lay the ground for tax hikes on November 26, Ms Reeves said she will "not always do what is popular - but do what is right". But the Chancellor said she will make the "choices necessary" including protecting the NHS and reducing the cost of living for struggling Brits. Asked about Labour's election vow - not to increase taxes on working people, including income tax, VAT and national insurance - Ms Reeves replies: "I will set out the individual policies at the Budget on 26 November, that is not what today is about." She added: "As Chancellor I have to face the world as it is, not the world as I want it to be. And when challenges come our way, the only question is how to respond to them, not whether to respond or not. " During the speech before the markets opened, Ms Reeves said the Tories' austerity slashing programme had dealt a "hammer blow" to the country alongside a "rushed and ill-conceived Brexit". She said it was her job to be "honest about the consequences those choices have had" and to get inflation falling in the coming months. "Those who continue to push for easy answers are irresponsible now," she added. The Chancellor said since her maiden Budget last year the world has become more volatile with the cost of government borrowing spiking. * This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , Twitter , Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage. We'll be bringing you the latest updates on this Breaking Politics News story. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story HERE. Get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters . Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following The Mirror every time you see our name. Join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community - CLICK HERE Follow The Mirror on Google News - CLICK HERE and click the star Follow The Mirror on Apple News - CLICK HERE available on Apple devices Follow The Mirror on Flipboard - CLICK HERE and click follow You can sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news here @MirrorBreaking_ and follow us https://twitter.com/MirrorPolitics for all the latest updates. Keep up-to-date with your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MirrorPolitics/ . See all our social accounts you can follow here: mirror.co.uk/social
