BRITISH soldiers sent to defend eastern Europe face a £200 tax hit next month – while rental income from mansions in an area favoured by oligarchs will be untouched.
The 2.5 per cent rise in National Insurance will mean a mid-ranking private earning £25,000 will see his wage packet shrink.
But as the contributions are only paid on income from work, those who rent out second homes will escape forking out any more.
Online property sites suggest swanky homes in Kensington, West London, can earn their owners over £1 million a year in rental income.
These are amongst the favoured postcodes for Russians accused of corruption or links to the Kremlin, according to Transparency International.
The revelation comes ahead of the planned National Insurance rise which the Chancellor is under pressure to reverse as energy costs soar and inflation spirals.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is under mounting pressure to reverse the rise in his spring statement next week to provide lower-paid workers from the cost of living crisis.
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Why whack up working people’s taxes when inflation and prices are soaring? It doesn’t make economic or common sense.
“This wasn’t a good idea in September when the cost of living crisis started spiralling. It’s an even worse now.
“It’s time to get a grip. The Chancellor must halt the National Insurance hike before it’s too late, and look again at a one-off windfall tax on oil and gas producers to cut home energy bills by up to £600.”
