MILLIONS of Brits could be hit with higher council tax bills as Rishi Jeremy Hunt weighs up tough options for saving the economy.
Alongside Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor is considering whether to hike the amount households pay their local council to generate more money.
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Usually councils have to hold a referendum to increase rates above 2.99 per cent – but the Chancellor is thinking of scrapping that rule.
No final decisions have been made yet.
A Treasury source told The Sun that Mr Hunt needs to “think the unthinkable” in order to balance Britain’s books.
There’s currently an estimated £50bn black hole in public finances that desperately needs filling to tackle soaring inflation.
The gaping hole has been caused by a mix of the pandemic, Mad Vlad Putin’s war in Ukraine, the soaring cost of energy and Liz Truss’ disastrous mini budget.
Mr Sunak has repeatedly warned that plugging the gap will require “difficult decisions”, including cuts to public spending and tax rises.
All final decisions will be revealed on November 17 when the Autumn Budget is announced in the Commons.
Alongside council tax hikes, so far the Treasury looks set to extend a freeze on income tax thresholds until 2028 – dragging millions more into a higher rate of tax.
The freeze was originally supposed to end in 2026.
By expanding it, Brits who earn over £50,000 a year could end up paying £3,659 more in tax overall.
Mr Hunt is also understood to be eyeing a fresh windfall tax grab on the eye-watering profits being made by energy giants.
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In a potential major win for hard-up Brits, pensions and benefits are expected to increase in line with inflation.
The move will cost £11billion in 2023-2024.
But the government insists it wants finance decisions to be “fair and compassionate”.
The Chancellor has said his budget won’t “completely protect people” from inflation hell.
However, he’s maintained that his priority will be shielding the poorest from crippling prices.
