Senior MP Willie Jackson says Labour Government should’ve taken GST off meat to reduce cost of living

Senior Labour MP Willie Jackson believes his party should have removed GST from meat products while in Government to help reduce the high cost of living . That’s despite Labour ’s 2023 election policy proposing to remove GST from fruit and vegetables being widely panned as complicated to introduce and ineffective at providing relief to those who needed it. Jackson’s comments come as tax policy discussions continue within the party as the public waits for Labour’s confirmed 2026 election policy , expected to be announced by the end of the year.

Appearing on the Unfiltered with Dave Letele podcast, Jackson was asked how Labour would win back enough support to return to Government after receiving just 26.9% of the vote in 2023. Jackson accepted communities had felt a “little bit deserted” by Labour amid a painfully high cost of living and persistent inflation.



Annual percentage increases of food prices were above 10% from late 2022 to mid-2023..