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Chancellor's Tax Freeze Hits Middle-Income Workers Hardest

2/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves extended the freeze on income tax thresholds, causing £603.50 more tax for someone earning £48,000 by 2031.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found middle-income workers, including police officers and teachers, face the largest tax increases compared with higher earners.
Critics including Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride argue this contradicts Reeves' claim that the wealthiest would bear the most burden.

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Story summary

The UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves extended the freeze on income tax thresholds, causing £603.50 more tax for someone earning £48,000 by 2031.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found middle-income workers, including police officers and teachers, face the largest tax increases compared with higher earners.
Critics including Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride argue this contradicts Reeves' claim that the wealthiest would bear the most burden.