A growing number of UK taxpayers have been discussing a public campaign to raise the tax-free personal allowance — the amount of income you can earn before paying income tax — to around £15,597. While this specific figure has circulated in various online petitions and community discussions, official government response and policy decisions do not currently confirm that amount as a new tax-free threshold. Instead, ministers have responded to petitions calling for larger increases in thresholds, clearly explaining their stance and the reasons behind it.
The broader debate around increasing the tax-free allowance reflects widespread concern about the impact of inflation, “stealth taxation” caused by frozen allowances, and the cost of living for ordinary families. Many people argue that raising the personal allowance — even to figures such as £15,597 — would reduce the tax burden, put more money in workers’ pockets and help ease financial pressures. It is an issue that has attracted signatures on multiple petitions and been debated by MPs in Westminster. However, the government’s official position remains cautious and fiscally focused.
What the Petition Campaign Was Asking For
Several petitions on the UK Parliament petitions website have called for increases to the personal tax allowance — the tax-free portion of income. A related petition discussed raising the income threshold substantially (though not necessarily exactly £15,597), with supporters arguing that the current level does not reflect the rising cost of living and that freezing personal allowances effectively increases the tax burden on working people.
One petition — focused on increasing the personal allowance from the current £12,570 — attracted hundreds of thousands of signatures and was debated in Parliament in May 2025. The campaign drew attention not only because of its popularity but also because it highlighted ongoing debates about tax policy in the UK as costs of living rise.
Although the petitions did not use the exact £15,597 target in every case, many online discussions and derivative petitions referenced similar figures as part of broader calls to lift the tax-free threshold to match inflation or living costs — discussions that continue on forums and social platforms.
Government Response: What Ministers Have Said
The government has formally responded to petitions calling for increases in the personal tax allowance, but the response so far has been clear — there are no plans to lift the threshold to figures such as £20,000 or higher at this time, including amounts like £15,597.
In response to a petition that closed on raising the tax allowance to £20,000 — a campaign that gained significant public traction — ministers reiterated their commitment to keeping taxes as low as possible while balancing fiscal responsibility. The official government response, published in February 2025, explained that increasing the tax-free personal allowance to £20,000 would involve significant public spending cuts and could undermine investment in key public services such as healthcare and education. The Chancellor has continued to stress that tax thresholds are under review but that major increases are not planned.
This response applies equally to similar calls for increases to figures close to £15,597: the government’s position is that such rises would carry large costs and no official policy is in place to make them happen.
What the Current Tax-Free Allowance Actually Is
For the 2025/26 and 2026/27 tax years, the UK’s personal tax-free allowance — the amount of income you can earn before starting to pay income tax — remains at £12,570. This threshold has been frozen for several years, and the government has confirmed it will stay at that level through to at least April 2031 under the latest budget arrangements. That means millions of taxpayers will continue to pay tax on income above £12,570 even as prices rise.
This freeze contributes to what many feel is a “stealth tax” effect, where gradual inflation and rising earnings push more people into paying tax sooner and at higher levels, effectively reducing take-home pay without a formal change in rates.
Arguments For and Against Raising the Tax-Free Threshold
Supporters of raising the tax-free allowance — including those who backed petitions referencing figures like £15,597 — argue that:
- It returns more disposable income to workers.
- It helps low- and middle-income earners cope with higher living costs.
- It reduces reliance on benefits by increasing take-home pay.
- It simplifies the tax system for many households.
Critics, including government ministers, counter that:
- Raising the tax-free allowance carries significant fiscal costs.
- It could reduce funding available for essential public services.
- Larger thresholds mainly benefit higher earners as well as low earners.
- There are other policy mechanisms (such as Universal Credit or targeted tax credits) that can support low-income households.
These counterarguments are often cited in official responses and debates, and they explain why the government has not yet committed to any specific increase such as to £15,597.
What Happens Next
Although government responses to petitions do not automatically result in policy change, high-profile debates influence future fiscal decisions. The issue of personal tax allowance and inflation-linked thresholds continues to be discussed in Parliament, and petitions that reach certain signature thresholds are debated by MPs — as happened with the petition to raise the threshold significantly in May 2025.
Any future change to the personal tax-free allowance — whether to £15,597 or another figure — would need to be announced by the Chancellor during a Budget, Autumn Statement or Spring fiscal event, and would be shaped by wider economic conditions, public finances and political priorities.
What This Means for You
For now, UK taxpayers should be aware that:
- The personal allowance remains at £12,570 for the 2026/27 tax year and beyond under current plans.
- There is no confirmed increase to £15,597 or equivalent at this time.
- Those hoping for tax threshold increases will need to watch official fiscal announcements for any changes.
If your income is just above the current allowance, understanding how tax bands work and how allowances affect your take-home pay can help with financial planning. You can also follow official petition pages and government responses to track how these issues evolve.
Final Thoughts
Popular campaigns to raise the tax-free personal allowance — including those referencing amounts like £15,597 — reflect ongoing public frustration with frozen thresholds and rising living costs. While the government has acknowledged these concerns in its formal responses to petitions, ministers have made it clear that no major increase in the personal allowance is planned in the near term.
This means that, for now, tax-free income levels remain unchanged, and any future movement will depend on broader economic policy decisions rather than petition pressure alone.