WATCH: Peter Kyle defends Rachel Reeves tax hikes despite damning IMF findings

Georgia Pearce
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:15:40 +0000

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle has defended the Government's taxation approach during an appearance on GB News, conceding that Britain maintains a lower tax threshold compared to France.

Mr Kyle told GB News: "We did have to take some difficult decisions at the beginning of this Government, and we acknowledge that we still have a lower tax threshold than France."

The Cabinet minister drew a distinction between the overall threshold level and the necessity of raising taxes to fund investment. He pointed to economic fundamentals moving in a favourable direction, suggesting the early tough choices were yielding results.

Kyle expressed considerable frustration that economic indicators were trending positively prior to the current conflict.

He told GB News: "That's why Rachel expressed such frustration, and it's why I have such frustration that going into this conflict, all of the indicators for our economy are going in the right direction."

The minister argued that Britain cannot sustain a combination of sluggish growth and elevated taxation. He emphasised that boosting economic expansion remains the Government's priority, which would allow authorities to reduce obstacles and friction for businesses operating within the UK. Mr Kyle stated the country must inject growth into the economy to alleviate these burdens.

The Business and Trade Secretary highlighted the international dimension of the Government's growth strategy. He pointed to ongoing negotiations with multiple major economies as central to improving Britain's trading position.

Mr Kyle told GB News: "That's not just domestic, it is internationally, which is why we're striking so many trade deals with South Korea, with America, with the European Union, with all of these deals are going to benefit hugely the UK."

The minister described these agreements as transformative for the country's economic foundations. He said such deals would "fundamentally improve the fundamentals of our economies as we go forward and create opportunities."

WATCH ABOVE.