'Giving away almost 50% of our salary': Indian woman quits UK after 10 years over ‘insane’ taxes & rising costs; Internet weighs in

For nearly a decade, Pallavi Chhibber called London her home. An entrepreneur and content creator, she built her life, career, and family in the British capital. But now, she says it’s time to walk away.

In a candid Instagram video posted on 29 August, Chhibber revealed why she and her family are leaving the UK after almost ten years. Her reasons struck a chord with many, some agreed wholeheartedly, while others criticised her stance.

‘Time to move on’

“I’m leaving London after being here nearly 10 years,” Chhibber said in her video, addressing the wave of questions she had received from her followers. “The main reason is that me and my husband feel London has become a city more for survival, not for growth. Unfortunately, we don’t see long-term opportunities for either of us in this country.”

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Her decision reflects what many migrants and locals alike have been feeling, that London, once brimming with opportunities, is now a city where keeping up with costs takes precedence over chasing dreams.

The cost of living crisis

Among her biggest concerns was the cost of living crisis. Chhibber said London had become “obnoxiously expensive”, sharing an anecdote about a recent dinner at Dishoom, a popular Indian restaurant chain in the UK. A few dishes added up to a staggering £80 (Rs 8,500), a price she described as simply unreasonable for a casual family outing.

“I’ve been a hardcore London girl, and a part of my heart will forever belong here,” she admitted. “But at the same time, we can’t ignore the reality, the cost of living crisis, survival issues, and rising expenses.”

‘Insane’ taxes

If soaring prices weren’t enough, Chhibber pointed to taxes as another decisive factor. She claimed that between direct and indirect taxes, nearly half of her salary was going straight to the government.

“We pay 42% as direct tax,” she explained. “After adding indirect taxes, we were giving away almost 50% of our salary.”

In her comments section, she clarified that she had paid taxes in the UK for an entire decade while still holding an Indian passport.

Chhibber also touched upon the lack of opportunities she foresaw for her children in Britain. With job prospects shrinking, she felt the country offered limited growth for the next generation. “We don’t see a promising future here for our kids,” she said bluntly.

A divided reaction

Her announcement sparked a heated debate online. Some praised her honesty and applauded the decision, calling it a wise move. “You’ve definitely made the right decision. Very few people are able to recognise this vicious cycle,” wrote one supporter.

Others, however, dismissed her concerns as exaggerated. “Prices have gone up everywhere, not just in the UK,” one viewer pointed out. Another was harsher, commenting: “If you’re still comparing pounds with rupees after 10 years, you’ll never fit in.”