Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis fumes 'no where did I say that' as Tories use him in tax video

A livid Martin Lewis has hit back at the Tories for using a video of him on social media, alleging that the respected money expert claimed Labour would hike taxes. The founder of Money Saving Expert dismantled the Tory's promotional video, stressing that "NO WHERE" in the footage did he mention taxes.

Rather, the Money Saving Expert said he was discussing a "positive change" that Labour aimed to implement. The clip, sourced from Wednesday's Good Morning Britain show, featured Mr Lewis talking about his behind-the-scenes chats with both major political parties.

He explained: "I had a conversation with a senior member of the Labour Party, a private conversation, as I do with both parties and the exact phrase they used with me, when I asked about a particular policy, they said: 'We're not putting it in our manifesto because I can't commit. We'll do it but it is my aim we will do it over the next Parliament." reports the Mirror.

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The Conservatives trimmed the video and shared it on Twitter, alongside a message stating: "They're not telling you the full truth. Labour have said they wouldn't put up your taxes. But it's now becoming clear that they have every intention to put them up."

Mr Lewis swiftly responded on social media, clarifying: "NO WHERE in this comment do I talk about taxes. And the policy that I discussed (I will keep private as it was private) was NOT about taxes, or tax rises, it was about something that would be a positive change."

The Tories have been pushing tax matters to the forefront of the election battle, yet they've had to face corrections over their assertion that Labour would hike taxes by £2000. This figure is contentious, being derived from Tory adviser estimates spanning four years and applying to households rather than individuals.

Keir Starmer has consistently assured he won't increase taxes "on working people", signalling no hikes in income tax or National Insurance. Rishi Sunak found himself under fire for "lying" after he claimed during an ITV General Election debate that Keir Starmer would burden Brits with £2,000 in tax rises.

During the debate, the PM alleged that "independent Treasury officials have costed Labour's policies and they amount to a £2,000 tax rise for every working family". However, the Treasury's top civil servant refuted this claim the next day.

James Bowler clarified that ministers had been advised against presenting these figures as official civil service calculations.

At the time, Labour's Jonathan Ashworth commented: "I think last night what was exposed is just how desperate Rishi Sunak has become. Because he lied about Labour's tax plans. What he said last night about Labour's tax plans is categorically untrue. Labour will not put up income tax, will not put up National Insurance, will not put up VAT."