What is a stealth tax and why is it so controversial?

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

56% : The UK chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered a budget on Wednesday that contained few surprises, least of all the decision to freeze tax thresholds.
53% : " She added: "I am asking everyone to make a contribution, but I can keep that contribution as low as possible because I will make further reforms to our tax system today to make it fairer.
50% : Because the thresholds are no longer rising in line with inflation, more people will pay income tax for the first time, or pay it at a higher rate.
49% : Raising revenue A stealth tax is considered to be a mechanism for raising revenue for the exchequer in a way that's not explicitly made clear to taxpayers.
48% : Despite previously saying that freezing tax thresholds would hurt working people, Reeves said on Wednesday that her plans were fair and that "the biggest burden would fall on those with the broadest shoulders.
47% : Some analysts and observers consider the freeze to be a stealth tax but what exactly does that mean?
46% : Why Reeves backed a freeze The chancellor ultimately had limited options after backing away from an outright income tax hike.
45% : It is known as "fiscal drag" because of the way people are dragged into higher tax bands.
42% : After ruling out an income tax hike at the last minute, Reeves instead focused on the thresholds at which people are required to pay more tax.
36% : " Strong reaction In the immediate aftermath of the budget, many commentators continued to insist the freeze was an unfair stealth tax.
32% : Freezing income tax thresholds does indeed provide more funds for the government, but it's controversial because it can lead to people paying more tax despite no official tax rise being announced.

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