At a glance
• Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reported to be mulling a 2p rise in income tax in the Budget on November 26
• Ms Reeves is also believed to be considering a parallel 2p cut in National Insurance contributions for employees - capped at earnings up to £50,270 - along with a freeze in income tax thresholds
• That would drag hundreds of thousands more people in London and the South East into paying the higher 40% tax rate rate
London and the South East are set to be hardest hit by Rachel Reeves with 2.8 million facing a Budget blow from a 2p income tax rise.