The reduced rate band

<p>A distinctive freature of the British tax system is the very wide range of incomes which is subject to tax at the basic rate. In 1977 - 8, the first £6000 of taxable income was subject to tax at 34 per cent. In many other countries, there is an elaborately graduated schedule of marginal rates of tax. In 1978, a major departure from this pattern was made with the introduction of a reduced rate of tax of 25 per cent on the first £750 of taxable income. This innovation lasted two years until the reduced rate band was abolished in the 1980 budget. The first £11,250 of taxable income is now charged at the basic rate of 30 per cent.</p>