Income tax payments hit record high of £153bn

Four years after the credit crisis began, the total paid by taxpayers during 2010/2011 increased by 10pc on 2009/10 to more than £447bn, close on the pre-credit crisis peak for total revenues of £451bn in 2007/2008.In addition to record receipts from income tax, last January's increase in the standard rate of VAT to 20pc boosted returns from £70bn to £85bn.Changes to National Insurance Contributions (NICs), including doubling the top rate paid by employees with income above £42,484 a year, lifted returns from NICS to nearly £97bn.

Richard Mannion, a director of accountants Smith & Williamson, said: "Taxes have risen while the economy has remained flat and that scenario is likely to be repeated in the current tax year, 2011/12."The main factors are the increase in VAT and increases in income tax payable by the better-off, rather than an economic recovery. Total income tax set a new record in 2010/11 which presumably reflects the new 50pc top rate and the loss of personal allowances for better off taxpayers under Pay As You Earn.