Read our Privacy noticeRachel Reeves needs to row back on her manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT, a leading think tank has said, as the chancellor seeks to fill a £30bn black hole at the Budget. It comes after the Resolution Foundation think tank proposed a 2p cut in national insurance, matched by a 2p rise in income tax, to raise £6bn, create a “level playing field” and protect workers’ pay. The think tank says the changes would help tackle “unfairness” in the tax system, as income tax is paid by more people, including pensioners and landlords. But the housing minister Matthew Pennycook insisted Labour will stick to its manifesto pledge not to increase income tax. “We’re going to honour our commitments not to increase the rates of income tax, national insurance or VAT on the pay packets of working people”, he told Times Radio.