Gordon Brown admits that tax has risen

In an interview with the BBC, the Chancellor (and soon to be Prime Minister) Gordon Brown admitted that tax in the UK has risen under the current Labour Government. However he claimed that the rise was down to the increase in the national insurance contributions rate. The increase was implemented in 2002, ostensibly to pay for the National Health Service. (Don't get me started on how, despite all that money being thrown at the health service, some hospitals still ended up in deficit, others were closed, conditions worsened, and doctors' pay soared.)

Are you sure, Gordon? Are you sure that this is the only increase in tax in the past 10 years? But what about the 80-odd (as at 2006) stealth tax rises you have orchestrated within that period? Amazing that the interviewer was not more forceful in jogging your memory. Never mind, the Fisherman is happy to help. Just in case you have forgotten how many taxes you have raised, click here for a refresher. That list only goes as far as 2006, but it is a safe bet that in the last few months, you may well have added a few more stealth taxes to that number.