Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to alter higher rates of income tax to ensure that no-one unduly benefits financially from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government is committed to a fair tax system in which those with the most contribute the most. The income tax system consists of three progressive rates of tax, which sit above an internationally high personal allowance. This creates a highly progressive income tax system, with the top 1% of income taxpayers projected to pay over 29% of all income tax in 2019-20.

The Government is proud of its record of reducing tax for working people. The personal allowance has increased by more than 90% in less than a decade, which means that a typical basic rate taxpayer pays over £1,200 less income tax compared to 2010-11.

The Government keeps all aspects of the tax system under review; as the UK exits the current crisis, the Government will take stock of the economy and public finances and make further decisions at that point.