Everyone will have to pay more tax under plans due to be announced on Thursday, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt says.
Offering a message few ministers would risk saying out loud, Mr Hunt told the BBC: "I've been explicit that taxes are going to go up."
He confirmed he would be giving details about further help for those struggling with energy bills, but warned there had to be constraints on help.
Labour accused the Conservatives of making a "total mess" of the economy.
Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said Mr Hunt was choosing to tax working people, while doing "little to close tax loopholes which mean some of the wealthiest don't pay their fair share".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63614124