Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering a tax raid on landlords by imposing National Insurance on rental income as she looks to plug a £50billion spending hole.
Treasury officials are said to be looking at proposals to levy £2billion from property earnings as they scramble for revenue-raisers ahead of the Budget this autumn.
There is widespread expectation that the Chancellor will oversee fresh tax hikes at her upcoming fiscal statement amid warnings about the state of the public finances.
The Chancellor has repeatedly vowed not to increase VAT, income tax or National Insurance on 'working people', forcing her to look at other options.
According to The Times, allies of Ms Reeves believe that applying National Insurance to rental income would allow her to get around her 'red lines' on taxes.
