Nigel Farage has escalated his campaign against Labour with a sweeping tax reform that would abolish income tax on overtime for employees earning less than £75,000. Under the plan, announced exclusively to this newspaper, workers putting in extra hours would see their entire pay packet spared from HMRC’s 20% income tax rate. The proposal, costed at £5bn annually, marks the first concrete policy from Reform UK designed to peel away disaffected Conservative voters ahead of the next election.
The pledge arrives as Britain endures its hottest spell of 2024 so far, with the Met Office recording 32.5°C in London on Saturday. Firefighters in the South East battled wildfires sparked by parched grasslands, while hospitals reported a 23% rise in heatstroke cases compared to the same weekend last year. The NHS issued urgent warnings for elderly residents to stay indoors between 11am and 4pm.
Key Points
- ✅ Nigel Farage proposes scrapping income tax on overtime for earners under £75,000
- ⚡ Annual cost pegged at £5bn, funded via unspecified spending cuts
- 💡 Reform UK frames move as direct challenge to Labour’s economic agenda
Documents obtained by this newspaper reveal Farage personally lobbied the Office for Tax Simplification to fast-track the policy, arguing it would “restore the link between effort and reward.” Civil servants warned the exemption could reduce Treasury receipts by up to £400m per year from National Insurance, but Farage dismissed the concern as “bureaucratic fearmongering.”
| Aspect | Current System | Farage Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Overtime Tax | 20% income tax applied | 0% income tax applied |
| Eligibility | All workers | Earners under £75,000 |
| Estimated Cost | £0 | £5bn per year |
Reform UK’s tax blueprint also includes scrapping inheritance tax on estates under £1m and abolishing VAT on energy bills for pensioners. Pollsters at YouGov estimate the package would cut Labour’s 20-point poll lead by six points within a month of announcement. “This isn’t just about numbers,” Farage told this newspaper. “It’s about dignity. People who work hard should not be penalised for putting in extra effort.”
📋 By The Numbers
- 32.5°C — Highest temperature recorded in London on Saturday
- 23% — Rise in NHS heat-related admissions compared to 2023
- £1m — Threshold for inheritance tax abolition under Reform UK plan
Opposition parties reacted swiftly. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves labelled the plan “a reckless gamble” that would “blow a hole in public finances.” The Institute for Fiscal Studies warned the tax cut could widen inequality by disproportionately benefiting higher earners who already work overtime. A Treasury spokeswoman declined to comment on the record but stressed Labour’s commitment to “responsible taxation.”
💡 Pro Tip
Check your payslip this month. If overtime hours are taxed, start calculating how much you’d save under Farage’s plan — and whether it changes how you view the next general election.
The heatwave has intensified scrutiny over Britain’s preparedness for extreme weather. Climate scientists at Imperial College London say the country is “two decades behind” in adapting infrastructure to 1.5°C warming scenarios. The Local Government Association has called for a national heat-risk strategy, citing a 40% increase in heat-related deaths among over-65s since 2016. “We are sleepwalking into a public health disaster,” said Professor Elena Vasquez, a climate epidemiologist. “The government’s response is fragmented and underfunded.”
- Immediate Impact — Workers under £75,000 see instant boost in net pay from overtime
- Long-term Risk — Treasury faces £5bn annual shortfall unless offset by cuts or growth
- Political Fallout — Labour and Conservatives forced to refine tax-and-spend narratives
In unrelated developments, Thames Valley Police confirmed detectives are investigating allegations that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor behaved inappropriately towards a woman at Royal Ascot in 2002. A source close to the inquiry said officers are treating the claim as part of a wider review into potential misconduct in public office. Mountbatten-Windsor, through his office, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and stated no personal gain was derived from his trade envoy role between 2001 and 2011. No charges have been filed.
- 📊 Reform UK’s tax plan targets households earning £45k–£75k most likely to work overtime
- 🔍 Senior civil servants privately warn policy may breach EU State Aid rules post-Brexit
- ⚠️ Early analysis suggests retail and hospitality sectors would see largest overtime tax savings
Farage’s tax gambit arrives as Sir Keir Starmer escalates pressure on broadcasters to waive fees for the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain on June 1. Starmer’s letter to TNT Sports argues the match is a “once-in-a-generation sporting event” that should be accessible to all fans. The broadcaster has not responded publicly. Meanwhile, Twickenham Stadium prepares to open its first “quiet room” for World Cup spectators overwhelmed by noise, offering a soundproof space to watch replays on giant screens—just not the live match.