Rishi Sunak’s tax rises: three of the biggest examined

Rishi Sunak has already imposed tax rises on a similar scale to that of Gordon Brown across an entire 10-year tenure as chancellor. Photograph: John Sibley/Reuters

During his two years at the Treasury, Rishi Sunak’s tax policy has been characterised by large temporary cuts – to cushion the financial blow from the pandemic – followed by even larger and permanent rises running up to, and beyond, the next election in 2024.

The chancellor stressed that bringing down the annual deficit was a priority after he spent £400bn more than he had planned in 2020 keeping the economy afloat. With little room to cut welfare, as witnessed by this week’s £15bn of extra spending to cope with the cost of living crisis, he said the Treasury’s finances could only be shored up with higher taxes.