DMcG, even if the rate banding are changed, it remains a fact that those with earnings above the higher level limit will, as their income increases, pay a lower overall rate. The question for me is, “Why should someone on e.g. £20,000 pa be taxed at a higher rate than someone on e.g. £120,000?

It’s inequitable and unjustifiable, AFAIC.

What would make more sense would be to leave NICs alone, but close some (or preferably all) of the tax loopholes which permit businesses to pretend that the bulk of their UK profits were made in a country outside the UK’s taxation jurisdiction. But we’re talking about the greedy, selfish Tories and their supporters/donors, so it ain’t gonna happen.