Why does Rachel Reeves have to raise tax again

Bibliography

[1]The Guardian. Reeves urged to consider replacing council tax as thinktank warns of ‘impossible trilemma’ for chancellor – UK politics live. 6 Aug 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/aug/06/rachel-reeves-council-tax-thinktank-trilemma-uk-politics-labour

[2]Financial Times. Rachel Reeves faces £51bn hole in public finances, think-tank warns. 6 Aug 2025. https://www.ft.com/content/4ea9fd46-afe5-11ee-b7a2-fd470d506693

[3]Reuters. UK’s Reeves heading for ‘impossible’ choices in this year’s budget, think tank says. 5 Aug 2025. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-reeves-heading-impossible-choices-this-years-budget-think-tank-says-2025-08-05/

[4]The Independent. Rachel Reeves faces ‘impossible trilemma’ and must raise taxes or cut spending to plug £50bn black hole. 6 Aug 2025. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/rachel-reeves-black-hole-budget-b2538106.html

[5]Sky News / Yahoo News. Chancellor warned ‘substantial tax rises’ needed as she faces ‘impossible trilemma’. 6 Aug 2025. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/chancellor-warned-substantial-tax-rises-063042761.html

[6]Capital Economics. Rachel Reeves ‘must find £50bn’ in tax rises or spending cuts in budget. 6 Aug 2025. https://www.capitaleconomics.com/publications/uk-economics/uk-economics-update/reeves-must-find-50bn

[7]Bloomberg (via inkl). Reeves Has a £51 Billion Fiscal Hole to Fill, UK Think Tank says. 5 Aug 2025. https://www.inkl.com/news/reeves-has-51-billion-fiscal-hole