The resentment towards anyone doing well in this country is astounding.
Imagine if the narrative was “we’re lucky to have a cohort of high earners who strive to achieve more, thanks to their earnings our welfare state can provide for those in need”
Perhaps that would reduce some of the resentment high earner have towards ever increasing taxation. Instead, it is always coupled with “pay your fair share”, “the broadest shoulders” etc
When I am paying almost half of my salary in tax, I think I am already paying my fair share.
Lower - mid earners in this country have a lower tax burden than in European countries. And yet it is always higher earners being shafted.
Put another way - why should I attend work for 5 months a year effectively unpaid, as that income is what the government takes each year?
PAYE high earners are bled dry because it is the easiest cohort from which to extract tax - often unable to move overseas, tax deducted at source, almost no exemptions other than shovelling money into pensions. That doesn’t mean that is the cohort from which it is fairest to extract more tax.
DH and I are closely watching the budget to decide whether we will move overseas. His employer has confirmed they can move him, and I can move on a spousal visa. DH’s salary will double in a country with lower taxation than the UK, giving me time to find work without us being financially pressured. We will take about £57,000 in annual income tax and NI contributions with us.
We would prefer to stay in the UK, but it is increasingly difficult to justify how much of our salaries are deducted, all whilst we’re surrounded by crumbling infrastructure, potholed roads, and ever decreasing public services.
The level of debt the UK is having to repay is what our increased tax will be put towards, not fixing the country.