The threshold for paying national insurance will increase by £3,000. that means people must earn £12,570 per year before paying income tax or national insurance. the two now in alignment. and, in his final announcement, the chancellor pledged that before the end of this parliament in 2024, the basic rate of income tax will be cut from 20p to i9p in the pound. here s our political correspondent, iain watson. is this the chancellor looking at his growing energy bills? well, actually, he is pouring over his spring statement, a mini budget, and is under pressure to do more to tackle the cost of living. pawing. prices are rising at the fastest level in 30 years outstripping increases to wages and benefits. is outstripping increases to wages and benefits. . ., outstripping increases to wages and benefits. , ., ,. outstripping increases to wages and benefits. , ., ., benefits. is there more pain to come, chancellor? benefits. is there more pain to come, chancellor? and - benefits. is t ....