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Ahead of Rachel Reeves’ looming Budget, Independent readers have weighed in on Britain’s public finances – and largely agree that tax rises may now be unavoidable if essential services are to be maintained.
When we asked what the chancellor should prioritise, many stressed the need for fairness, arguing that income tax, national insurance (NI), and other levies should be applied progressively, protecting those on lower incomes while asking more of higher earners.
Closing loopholes and tackling tax avoidance were widely highlighted, alongside calls for greater government efficiency.
Readers also urged broader systemic reforms: removing private money from politics, boosting public service productivity, and ensuring that any tax rises are transparent and part of a long-term plan rather than a short-term fix.
Long-term policy decisions – from Thatcher-era tax cuts to recent NI changes – were cited as
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