John Healey backs growth but says Labour must be honest on spending

Chancellor ducks questions on whether he will have to raise taxes but says he will stick firmly to fiscal rules

• Business live – latest updates

• Politics live – latest updates

John Healey has said boosting economic growth will be his defining mission as chancellor as he warned Labour had to “be honest” about the need to control public spending at next month’s budget.

In his first big speech since taking the job in July, Healey said the top priority for his 28 October budget would be to support stronger growth across the UK while sticking firmly to the government’s fiscal rules.