Property tax: Rachel Reeves's Budget options as she hunts for billions

"Your support makes all the difference. As Rachel Reeves prepares for her crunch Autumn Budget, speculation over where she might turn for new revenue has reached fever pitch. The chancellor has warned there will be no easy choices on 26 November, after the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) estimated she needs to find at least 22bn to stabilise the public finances. Reluctance from No 10 in recent weeks to re-commit to Labour's manifesto promise not to raise taxes on working people has only deepened uncertainty."

"With the three largest revenue sources understood to be off the table, it has been widely speculated that the chancellor could opt for a series of smaller adjustments to pensions, inheritance, and particularly property a potential source of billions in untapped tax revenue. Several leading economists have warned that this piecemeal approach could also prevent the overhaul many believe is needed in the UK's complex tax system. Tax expert Dan Neidle, giving evidence to the Treasury committee, urged Ms Reeves not to pick from a Scrabble bag of small-scale tax tweaks."

On-the-ground journalism covers reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, and relies on reader donations to fund reporters while keeping content freely accessible without paywalls. Donations enable journalists to interview diverse perspectives and investigate complex topics, including financial investigations and documentaries. Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a crunch Autumn Budget after the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimated at least £22bn is needed to stabilise public finances. Reluctance from No 10 to reaffirm the manifesto pledge not to raise taxes on working people has increased uncertainty. With major revenue sources constrained, speculation centres on smaller adjustments to pensions, inheritance, and particularly property taxes. Economists warn that piecemeal tweaks could block a necessary tax overhaul, and tax expert Dan Neidle urged against selecting a Scrabble-bag of small-scale tax changes.

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