Number of higher-rate UK taxpayers expected to hit more than 7m this year

[Protagoras]

https://www.theguardian.com/money/20...zen-thresholds

"The number of people in the UK paying income tax at the higher rate is expected to increase by 500,000 this tax year, to more than 7 million, according to official figures."

That's up from 4.4m higher rate taxpayers in 2021-22, to almost a fifth of taxpayers.

It's getting increasingly painful, especially given inflation. And we've another 3 years of this so-called 'fiscal drag' - at least.

To quote the article 'A government spokesperson said:“This government inherited the previous government’s policy of frozen tax thresholds.” '

Since when was any government bound by the policy of a previous one?
Yet again, another lame excuse from another useless government.

But the real pain is for the 30.4 million people whose income is above the £12,570 lower threshold and who pay tax at 20%.

Increasing the basic personal allowance to a more reasonable level would help those less well off and also pensioners with only state pension income. It would also reduce the number of people with whom Hector engages, allowing Hector greater capacity for improved service.

[NotAllThere]

This government inherited the previous government’s policy of frozen tax thresholds.

As with Tory goverments it means "we could change it, but we don't want to".

I paid the higher rate from 1994 to 2002. Then I left the country.

The poor sods who are paying 20% on their pitiful income, you're right.

[sadkingbilly]

[ladymuck]

This just plopped into my inbox this morning. Haven't read it yet but may be of interest to some.

https://taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/06/27/...-infographics/

[sadkingbilly]

This just plopped into my inbox this morning. Haven't read it yet but may be of interest to some.

https://taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/06/27/...-infographics/

'Most people in the UK on low, moderate or reasonably high earnings (i.e. up to about £100k) pay less tax on their wages than their counterparts in other large developed countries, with the notable exception of the US.'

oh, dear, that'll upset the whiners.

[Fraidycat]

'Most people in the UK on low, moderate or reasonably high earnings (i.e. up to about £100k) pay less tax on their wages than their counterparts in other large developed countries, with the notable exception of the US.'

oh, dear, that'll upset the whiners.

This is because of the tax free allowance, 12K or whatever it is these days. They should just abolish it completely.

[WTFH]

This is because of the tax free allowance, 12K or whatever it is these days. They should just abolish it completely.

Abolish tax free?
And how do the poor survive?

I was going to say "are you mad?", but you've made that clear.

[sadkingbilly]

'Most people in the UK on low, moderate or reasonably high earnings (i.e. up to about £100k) pay less tax on their wages than their counterparts in other large developed countries, with the notable exception of the US.'

oh, dear, that'll upset the whiners.

This is because of the tax free allowance, 12K or whatever it is these days. They should just abolish it completely.

QED

[Snooky]

Luckily, the number of people employed has increased by more than 500k in the last year.

[NotAllThere]

oh, dear, that'll upset the whiners.

You got that right!