most people, including Tory voters, support tax rises

Linda J. Dodson

Almost half (46pc) of the general public would support this measure, the report found, with 18pc opposing such a move. Conservative voters were more enthusiastic about this measure than the wider public, with 54pc supporting against 20pc in opposition.

In addition, 63pc of the public said that they were supportive of a one-off 10pc tax on wealth over £2m, excluding main homes and pensions. Only 11pc opposed this measure.

However, there are several areas where the public are hostile to any tax rises. A mooted social care tax, only payable by people aged 40 and over, was opposed by 45pc of taxpayers. 

Major changes to pensions taxation were deemed unacceptable by 70pc of the population, with most believing that pensions tax rates should remain lower than other forms of income. There was support, however, for restricting the sums high earners could save into their pensions.

The report concluded that the Government could consider raising income tax for all workers who earn £20,000 or more, with the highest earners being hit with the largest increases. Council tax should be increased on the most expensive homes and VAT could be charged on private school fees and private medical fees, it said.

Loopholes that allow people to avoid tax should be closed and the Government should better communicate with the public about how taxes are raised and spent, avoiding so-called stealth taxes, it added.

The report said that while greater taxes on the poorest in society were unacceptable to the British public, “unnecessarily punitive taxes” on the wealthiest were also undesirable. There was also strong resistance to increasing the main rate of VAT or for charging capital gains tax on people’s main residence. 

Do you agree that income tax should rise? Or do you think the Government should seek to raise funds in other ways? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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