The announcement follows the publication of the department’s most recent verdict on the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021. The committee’s report surveys the current UK tax burden, changes to the health and social care levy, as well as the pre-briefing of budget measures.  

During the last budget in late October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced substantial increases in departmental spending alongside various tax hikes. 

“Taxes are rising to their highest level as a percentage of GDP since the 1950s. I don’t like it, but I cannot apologise for it,” Sunak said in October. “It’s the result of the unprecedented crisis we faced and the extraordinary action we took in response.”

The committee has warned that if the chancellor wishes to cut taxes while simultaneously meeting his fiscal rules, he may have to identify departmental spending areas where he can reduce spending in real terms, even in the face of heightened demand. 

In particular, the committee criticised underspending in education. Following the most recent budget, school funding per head has only now returned to levels seen in 2010.