Number of higher-rate UK taxpayers expected to hit more than 7m this year

In the 2021-22 tax year, 4.4 million people paid the higher rate of 40% on some of their income, the data shows. Photograph: Ascannio/Alamy

The number of people in the UK paying income tax at the higher rate is expected to increase by 500,000 this tax year, to more than 7 million, according to official figures.

Income tax thresholds used to rise in line with inflation but have been frozen at the same level since 2021, a move announced by the then chancellor, Rishi Sunak.