Labour set to pitch new levy on top earners as Corbyn tells May to “come out of hiding”

Jeremy Corbyn will today tell Theresa May to “come out of hiding” as he unveils a “radical and responsible” manifesto.

The Labour leader will launch Labour’s policy offer with a fresh pledge to introduce an “excessive pay levy” designed to tackle public concern over eye-wateringly high wages at City banks and top football clubs.

Corbyn’s speech will set out his war on a “Britain run for the rich, the elite and the vested interests” when he delivers his speech in Bradford.

It comes a week after the draft manifesto was leaked to a series of media outlets.

Research published over the weekend showed the policies – such as plans to renationalise the railways and the Royal Mail – were popular even though the public possessed huge doubts about Corbyn’s competence to be prime minister.

Corbyn will echo May’s infamous words when he describes the Tories as “still the nasty party”.

“People want a country run for the many not the few,” Corbyn is expected to say.

“For the last seven years, our people have lived through the opposite – a Britain run for the rich, the elite and the vested interests. They have benefitted from tax cuts and bumper salaries while millions have struggled and been held back.

“Whatever your age or situation, people are under pressure, struggling to make ends. Our manifesto is for you.”

Corbyn will pledge new taxes on people earning more than £80,000, and a new levy on firms which pay above £330,000, and promise to invest in the money in public services as he sets out a vision of a divided nation.

“Parents worrying about the prospects for their children and anxious about the growing needs of their own elderly parents,” he will say.

“Young people struggling to find a secure job and despairing of ever getting a home of their own.

“Children growing up in poverty; students leaving college burdened with debt; workers who have gone years without a real pay rise coping with stretched family budgets.

“Labour’s mission, over the next five years, is to change all that.

“Our manifesto spells out how – with a programme that is radical and responsible.”