Petition calls for tax-free allowance to rise to £20,000. Signing closes 14 November

The petition's author, Wade Reid, wants the personal tax allowance raised to £20,000 a year. The petition was published on the UK Parliament website on 14 May 2026. It argues that the allowance has been frozen since 2021, so rising wages pull more people into paying tax or higher rates.

Thresholds and what they mean

The 10,000-signature threshold was reached on 9 November 2026, so the government must formally respond to the petition. At 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for a debate in Parliament. This does not mean the law will change automatically, or that a debate in the chamber is guaranteed. A debate of this kind is general and does not end in a vote on a bill.

When checked, the petition page showed 30,181 signatures against the 100,000 target.

How to sign

The petition is open on the official UK Parliament website until 14 November 2026. No account is needed, but signatures must be confirmed by clicking a link in an email.

Expert views

Polish Express notes that financial expert Martin Lewis has also raised the issue. He said on an ITV programme that freezing the allowance increases the tax burden in practice, even when tax rates stay the same. The publication estimated earlier that, if the allowance had kept rising at its previous pace, it would now be around £18,000 to £19,000.

What this means for you

The petition does not currently change any rules. If the government decided to raise the personal allowance, it would affect people who pay income tax in the UK, including people living in the UK who work here. For now this is a proposal, and any effects would depend on decisions by the government and Parliament.