Reading Liberal Democrats

Reading West Lib Dem parliamentary hopeful Patrick Murray has launched a scathing attack on the government’s announcement of measures to compensate 5 million of Britain’s poorest citizens who were penalised by the cutting of the 10p tax rate.

Alistair Darling claimed the change was the “fairest and most effective way” to help those who lost out from the scrapping of the 10p tax rate. He said it meant 22 million people on low and middle incomes would gain an additional £120 this year.

Patrick questioned the ‘fairness’ of the government’s proposals.

“How can Darling call this fair when he is compensating 17 million people who did not lose out on the 10p tax rate cut along with 4 million who did lose out and another 1 million of the poorest citizens who will only receive half the compensation they are owed ?”

“In the middle of an economic crisis when public spending is being cut to the bone Labour have come up with a tax cut that can only be seen as a bribe to buy back disaffected supporters who have turned away from New Labour’s ideas on fairness in droves. They can spend £50bn on propping up banks, another £3bn in tax cuts but they cannot provide decent homes, schools or care for people who need them most.”

Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said:

“This Government’s tax policy has descended into a complete farce.

“The abolition of the 10p rate was designed to help Labour win the election that never was. Now this by-election budget is designed to help them cling on to Crewe in next week’s vote.

“This u-turn leaves 1.1 million of the lowest paid workers losing up to £100 each.

“We can have no confidence in either a Prime Minister or a Chancellor who continue to make tax policy on the hoof, while still leaving the poorest out in the cold.”