Lib Dems launch campaign to cut taxes for 100,000 people in Highlands

24-Sep-2012

Highland MP Danny Alexander and the Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to make taxes fairer.

Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Lib Dems Nick Clegg launched the campaign on Saturday at the party's Autumn Conference. The campaign sets out to make sure the rich pay their fair share in tax and to cut the tax bill of the average worker and their families.

Lib Dems say that in order to make taxes fairer, tax loopholes must be closed and a new wealth tax on the super-rich is needed. This will then help the Government to further increase the Income Tax threshold.

If successful this would mean that the Liberal Democrats will have cut the Income Tax bill of most people by £700 each year.

Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey MP Danny Alexander says:

"For thirteen years Labour let the super-rich get away with shameless tax avoidance, while hurting ordinary hard working families by abolishing the 10p tax rate.

"Like many here at Lib Dem conference I'm delighted that the party is clearly setting out that our priority for the next budget is getting a better deal for hardworking people.

"We want to see our tax system made fairer so the richest pay their share and where help is provided for those who need it, and that is exactly what Nick is proposing.

"Raising the Income Tax threshold to £10,000 will help average working people in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey who have been struggling with bills and higher cost of living.

"That's why along with other Lib Dems across the Highlands I will be asking local residents to back our campaign."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

When the Coalition came to power in 2010 the Personal Tax Allowance was £6,475. Increasing it to £10,000 will mean £700 back in the pockets of working people, or approximately £60 a month.

The national ‘Fairer Tax' campaign website is www.fairertax.org