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AIBU?

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Original poster

Absolutely rinsed in this budget - almost £1k a year worse off.

740 replies

Mushroo · 26/11/2025 13:43

Honestly in despair at this government. On a very high level calc, we are so much worse off!

We both pay a lot into pensions, so the NI change is about £700 a year worse off.

We have an EV car, so based on our 4k a year mileage, it’s about £120 a year. (Although how it will be enforced I have no idea).

Stagnating tax thresholds, probably about £100 a year between us.

Council tax F house (4 bed end terrace, not a mansion, needs renovating). So risk of revaluation after having paid a fortune in stamp duty. We didn’t get first time buyer stamp duty relief because we bought about 2 years too early, and we moved before Covid so no relief there either. So overall we’ve paid about £30k in stamp duty already over our lifetime.

Weve already had the private school hit (which is a separate debate and we’ve accepted that) but wow, we are just being kicked on all sides.

We are classic ‘middle earners’ - earn about £70k each, but have mahoosive mortgage and pay over £2k a month in nursery fees already.

Every measure just seems to have a negative effect on our lifestyle, which is ‘comfortable’ but increasingly squeezed.

OP posts:
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5
phantomofthepopera · 26/11/2025 14:02

A household income of £140K is not a “middle earner”. A middle income is about £35K each. You’ll have to pay an extra £9.60 a week each in tax. I don’t think that amount would be beyond the reach of a couple on such enormous salaries.

Letthemeatgateau · 26/11/2025 14:02

You're paying private school fees and complaining about being squeezed.

Meanwhile the UK has the second highest rate of child poverty in Europe. And around one million children live in destitution.

Nickyknackered · 26/11/2025 14:02

Mushroo · 26/11/2025 13:55

Nursery atm and then may continue to private (may not).

As I said, we are comfortable, but less and less so and far less than I thought we would be on our salaries.

We pay a lot into pensions because it’s a responsible thing to do for higher earners, we’d be labelled idiots if we didn’t. (And DH is public sector so has no choice really).

Show quote history

You'll live. God people really dont get it do they!

Between you and the one moaning that her DH on £100k+ (they only get ONE holiday a year don't you know!), I really will save my sympathy on those who can't afford food, heating, clothing, transport.... those who actually suffer. Not you and your massive pensions, your expensive mortgaged house and your private education fees. GTFU!

randomchap · 26/11/2025 14:01

So on an income of £140k, you are £1k worse off. 0.7% of your income.

I think you'll be OK.

BIossomtoes · 26/11/2025 14:01

Frankinator · 26/11/2025 14:00

You don’t say what bit of the public sector - but if you’re husband is a teacher then he can’t make pension contributions via salary sacrifice so it will make absolutely no difference.

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Well spotted. There are virtually no SS schemes in the public sector.

Itsaknockout235 · 26/11/2025 14:01

I’m with OP. I’d actually be ok with a small tax rise to go on infrastructure like roads, defence. Instead, the increased NI from pension conts will go on……checks notes…..the welfare state, increased PIP, increased NHS funding, increased pensions.

Actually, I do think hard up working families should get more child benefit. But the families with many children are less likely to be working. Instead, I would have funded an increase in child benefit for child 1 and 2, kept the 2 child limit, and the overallcost to be taken from restricting that blimmin’ winter fuel allowance to only pensioners on pension credit. But hey, I’m not the chancellor.

FunnyOrca · 26/11/2025 14:01

TheSwarm · 26/11/2025 13:53

The NI charge on salary sacrifice is particually fucking insane.

Hopefully a less fucking stupid chancellor will reverse that.

PPM for EVs was always going to come in sooner rather than later.

Edited

I am either misunderstanding it or me and everyone I know are completely screwed!

Also, very upset about the ISA situation. I will not be investing, that’s why I was using an ISA! I don’t have that kind of money to gamble.

Frankinator · 26/11/2025 14:00

Mushroo · 26/11/2025 13:55

Nursery atm and then may continue to private (may not).

As I said, we are comfortable, but less and less so and far less than I thought we would be on our salaries.

We pay a lot into pensions because it’s a responsible thing to do for higher earners, we’d be labelled idiots if we didn’t. (And DH is public sector so has no choice really).

Show quote history

You don’t say what bit of the public sector - but if you’re husband is a teacher then he can’t make pension contributions via salary sacrifice so it will make absolutely no difference.

EasternStandard · 26/11/2025 14:00

frozengrapes1 · 26/11/2025 13:58

I don't know. I'll pay what is asked for. I'm a happy tax payer.

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Labour will be pleased. They should do a targeted tax for a few thousand a year to SM posters who say this.

sprigatito · 26/11/2025 14:00

frozengrapes1 · 26/11/2025 13:58

I don't know. I'll pay what is asked for. I'm a happy tax payer.

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To the Tories you are a mythical creature. They can’t conceive of anyone NOT trying to wriggle out of paying their fair share.

BIossomtoes · 26/11/2025 13:59

There’s no obligation to be a member of the pension scheme in the public sector. You’d be an idiot not to though as it would be akin to giving up a big lump of your salary.

boobooboy · 26/11/2025 13:59

Count your blessings that you can still afford such a privileged lifestyle. Your children will have every opportunity available to them, regardless of you losing just over £100 a month. The difference that removing the two child cap will have on other children will make such a difference, and will mean they have access to the basics that you take for granted. I see the impact every single day and I am delighted that some of the wealthiest in our society will be contributing a little bit more (in the grand scheme of things) to cover the cost.

Shoulam · 26/11/2025 13:59

Frankinator · 26/11/2025 13:57

Have I missed the bit about revaluing property F homes? I can’t see anything in the OBR report about that. There’s something about homes worth more than 2 million, but the much talked about council tax bits seem to be missing.
Also, you’re paying NIC at 2%. So your extra cost for pensions (from April 29) will be 2% of whatever you sacrifice. Even if you both sacrifice £1000 per month (which I doubt), that will cost you £40 a month between you.

Yeah there was the rumours about that the last few days when they were saying they were going to raise bands G and H. But nothing actually was mentioned in the budget so I’m assuming that was scrapped/was just a rumour.

frozengrapes1 · 26/11/2025 13:58

EasternStandard · 26/11/2025 13:57

How much more are you stumping up?

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I don't know. I'll pay what is asked for. I'm a happy tax payer.

HelloGreen · 26/11/2025 13:58

Mushroo · 26/11/2025 13:55

Nursery atm and then may continue to private (may not).

As I said, we are comfortable, but less and less so and far less than I thought we would be on our salaries.

We pay a lot into pensions because it’s a responsible thing to do for higher earners, we’d be labelled idiots if we didn’t. (And DH is public sector so has no choice really).

Show quote history

Yes ‘higher earners’, which you are. Don’t try to claim to be otherwise, it’s a slap in the face to those sitting considerably less comfortably than you.

EsmeArcher · 26/11/2025 13:57

“And DH is public sector so has no choice really”

So your family is funded by tax payers too…

EasternStandard · 26/11/2025 13:57

frozengrapes1 · 26/11/2025 13:50

🎻

How much more are you stumping up?

frozendaisy · 26/11/2025 13:57

Lincslady53 · 26/11/2025 13:51

But you don't have an mot until the car is 3 years old. How is it going to be measured on newer cars?

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You have to calculate your estimated mileage for insurance so it might run parallel with those bands - up to 6000 etc - should be fairly straight forward

Frankinator · 26/11/2025 13:57

Have I missed the bit about revaluing property F homes? I can’t see anything in the OBR report about that. There’s something about homes worth more than 2 million, but the much talked about council tax bits seem to be missing.
Also, you’re paying NIC at 2%. So your extra cost for pensions (from April 29) will be 2% of whatever you sacrifice. Even if you both sacrifice £1000 per month (which I doubt), that will cost you £40 a month between you.

Addictforanex · 26/11/2025 13:57

sprigatito · 26/11/2025 13:55

Taxation isn’t “hate”, fgs. It’s society.

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You really think that’s what I meant!? Obviously I meant the people will come after her on here with hate. Which they are..

randomchap · 26/11/2025 13:56

Middle earners? My arse

Elsvieta · 26/11/2025 13:55

You're not middle earners, classic or otherwise - you earn almost double the average for two people working full time.

shhblackbag · 26/11/2025 13:55

frozengrapes1 · 26/11/2025 13:50

🎻

This! I'm sure you can cover that £84 monthly loss somehow on that salary. Get a grip.

Original poster
Mushroo · 26/11/2025 13:55

BIossomtoes · 26/11/2025 13:49

Private school fees and nursery simultaneously? While also putting a lot into pensions? On £140k a year? Seriously?

Nursery atm and then may continue to private (may not).

As I said, we are comfortable, but less and less so and far less than I thought we would be on our salaries.

We pay a lot into pensions because it’s a responsible thing to do for higher earners, we’d be labelled idiots if we didn’t. (And DH is public sector so has no choice really).

OP posts:
sprigatito · 26/11/2025 13:55

Addictforanex · 26/11/2025 13:54

Oh OP, you’ve mentioned private school
fees, having a 4 bed house, an EV and funding private pensions. Everyone will assume you and your broad shoulders should
take it on the chin and pipe down. There’s so much hate for people who try to do well in life sadly.

Taxation isn’t “hate”, fgs. It’s society.

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