Taxes must change
Saturday, May 2nd, 2009
Sue Farrant with Vince Cable
Dr Sue Farrant, parliamentary candidate for West Dorset, recently met Vince Cable, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, to discuss the Party’s response to the recession. Sue is particularly concerned about families on low incomes and the situation of retired people whose savings are affected by low interest rates.
“The budget did nothing to help the vast majority of people in West Dorset,” Sue said. “Food and fuel costs are rising and the Conservative–run County Council is planning even steeper rises in Council Tax. Ordinary people are struggling while the wealthy and big businesses are able to exploit tax loopholes. Taxes fall too heavily on those who can least afford it and are too easy to avoid for those who know how.”
“Vince and I agreed that the budget was very disappointing. Liberal Democrats are calling for changes to the tax system that will help people on low and middle incomes. Our proposals will cut income tax bills by £700 for most people. That will be paid for by clamping down on all the loopholes and exemptions that benefit the richest people and biggest businesses. At the same time we want to scrap council tax altogether and replace it with a local tax based on people’s ability to pay.
“Not only are our tax proposals fairer but they also mean that people will have money to spend at a time when local shops and businesses badly need customers to help them beat the recession.”
Liberal Democrat tax plans
- Raise the personal allowance to £10,000
- Restrict tax relief on pension contributions for higher earners
- Tax capital gains at income tax rates
- Tackle avoidance of Stamp Duty Land Tax and Corporation Tax
- Abolish Council Tax
For more information see: the description of the Liberal Democrats’ Economic Recovery Plan on the national party web site.
