Highland Lib Dems back Clegg and Alexanders call for fairer taxes

29-Sep-2012

Liberal Democrats from across the Highlands have backed a call made by Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander for the Coalition Government to make tax fairer in the next budget.

Speaking at the Lib Dem Autumn Conference in Brighton, the Deputy Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg and, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Highland MP Danny Alexander launched the campaign to make the richest pay their share and cut the Income Tax bill for 21m people, including approximately 98,000 people living in the Highlands – taking 10,000 out of paying income tax altogether.

The Fairer Tax Campaign calls for a further increase in the Income Tax threshold, ensuring that no one will pay any income tax on first £10,000 they earn.

If successful, this would mean that, since entering the coalition, Liberal Democrats will have cut the Income Tax bill for most low and medium earners living in the Highlands by an average of £700.

The campaign also wants tax loopholes to be closed and a new wealth tax on the super rich to be introduced.

Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey MP Danny Alexander, who is also the minister responsible for delivering policy in government, says:

"I am proud that the Liberal Democrats in government have clearly set out that our priority for the next budget is getting a better deal for hardworking people.

"Liberal Democrats have long argued that our tax system needs to be made fairer – average workers paying less, while the richest pay their fair share. That is exactly what the campaign Nick Clegg and I have launched this week pushes for.

"Raising the Income Tax threshold to £10,000 will help average working people across the Highlands- who have been struggling with bills and higher costs of living.

"That is why, along with my fellow Highland Lib Dems, I will be asking local residents to back our campaign over the coming months."

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