Neil MacGillivray: Is BoJo's tax promise good news or a 'red bus'?

Tax ‘tipping point’

clock • 4 min read

Should Boris Johnson end up as prime minister, it will be interesting to see if he delivers on his tax promise, writes Neil MacGillivray - though more fascinating still could be such a change's impact on Scottish tax policy

When Boris Johnson announced that, if he becomes the next prime minister he would increase the 40% tax threshold from £50,000 to £80,000, there was a degree of scepticism as to whether he could deliver on what at first appears to be an exceptionally generous promise. Might this just be another exaggerated claim similar to the infamous advert that exiting the EU would lead to another £350m a week going to the NHS? There have been no red buses in sight just yet but, then again, little in the way of detail has been revealed - other than the cost to the Treasury being in the region of £9.6bn...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Tax planning

Incoming IHT on pensions drives gifting surge

Incoming IHT on pensions drives gifting surge

Affluent individuals change behaviour

Jen Frost
clock 30 June 2026 • 2 min read
Pensions and IHT: Why clients can't afford to wait

Pensions and IHT: Why clients can't afford to wait

April 2027 sees unused pension funds come under the scope of IHT

Reena Bhudia
clock 30 June 2026 • 5 min read
'A lot of fear out there': SJP's Claire Trott on IHT on pensions

'A lot of fear out there': SJP's Claire Trott on IHT on pensions

‘Any change drives advice’, head of advice says

Sophia Panayi
clock 29 June 2026 • 3 min read