UK coronavirus LIVE: Cases up by 1,715 as Treasury ‘considers £20 billion tax hikes’ to fund Covid-19 recovery

The Chancellor is considering tax hikes of up to £20 billion as Treasury officials weigh up the staggering costs of the coronavirus crisis, according to reports.

Rishi Sunak is looking at raising capital gains tax and corporation tax in the November Budget, while money could also be clawed back from pensions and foreign aid, the Sunday Times reported.

It comes after a series of Government U-turns that have shaken the faith of some Tory MPs in Boris Johnson’s leadership, from the fiasco over exam results to the decision over mask-wearing in secondary schools.

In other developments, the UK's Covid-19 death toll has risen by one overnight, with another 1,715 cases confirmed, and the global infection tally has hit another grim milestone – passing 25 million.

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