George Osborne says 'we do not need to increase VAT' but avoids offering a cast-iron guarantee

George Osborne told MPs on the Treasury select committee that he has no plans to increase VAT after the election. John Mann, the fiery Labour MP, pressed for a cast-iron guarantee but the Chancellor did not fall into the trap. Mr Mann commented that Mr Osborne's answers were 'more Bullingdon than Bassetlaw'. 24 March 2015.