Tax hike proposals are coming thick and fast. Slap VAT on private school fees. Hike capital gains tax and inheritance tax. Raid pensions. Increase fuel duty. Tax smoking. Tax pubs. Tax non-doms. The list goes on and one.

An army of left-wing think tanks are dreaming up new ideas by the day, including more national insurance, a wealth tax and an exit tax for those who can’t stand it any longer and want to get out.

But there’s one area where chancellor Rachel Reeves appears bereft of ideas, as…