Those With the Broadest Shoulders

In his Rose Garden speech on 28 August 2024 Keir Starmer said that those with the broadest shoulders should bear the heaviest burdens. This is not what happens as far as income tax is concerned. Has Keir Starmer been told this?

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Don Draper
Taxation of Families in 2024

Tax and the Family has updated its analysis of the tax system to take account of the Spring Budget and changes to benefits. The analysis takes account of the latest income data. It is still the case income tax liabilities are unrelated to household income with the result some families in poverty are paying  tax. Treasury figures show that a family with an average household income may pay the same tax as a single adult in top 10%.

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Don Draper
Tax Cuts Should Target Families With Children – New Poll Says

A poll of over 2000 adults for the Family Hub Network suggests that voters would strongly support a more family friendly tax system. 70% say that income should be taxed on the basis of household income, not, as now, on  individual income. There was strong support for family tax cuts in the forthcoming Budget, particularly among people with dependent children.

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James Winrow
IFS Thresholds Report

An important new IFS report explains and examines the thresholds built into the income tax system, such as the Personal Allowance and the rate bands and the tapering of the allowance on incomes over £100,000. It highlights the problems present for these taxpayers. Exceeding a threshold may make a taxpayer materially worse off – thresholds create economic barriers.

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Don Draper
Marginal rate explained

Many people probably don’t realise how high their marginal rate of tax is and therefore how little they gain from an increase in income. Many politicians don’t seem to know. Do you know?  Leonard Beighton has explained how income tax, national insurance and benefit  systems overlap and as a result many of the least well off households have in effect a  68% tax  rate. For some their tax rate will be higher.

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Don Draper