Views
A budget for the peoples pockets - for the Inverness Courier
Last month in my courier column I wrote: the road to the UKs economic recovery will unfortunately not happen overnight. Instead it is a long, uneven and at times frustrating process. But I believe we have the opportunity to ease the strain on hard-working families by cutting income tax.
That’s why I am absolutely delighted that Liberal Democrats in Government have been able to do just that by raising the income tax threshold to £9205 next April, 2013 - announced in last week’s budget.
This is on top of the income tax cut for almost 21 million people in the UK this year - over 2 million of whom live in Scotland - by raising the income tax threshold to £8105 on April 6th. This will help 92,000 people in Scotland on low incomes will no long pay any income tax at all.
In the Highlands alone, 94,000 people will see a tax cut and 3,000 more people will be raised out of paying tax altogether.
The future £14 billion tax cut announced in the budget means that we are within touching distance of delivering the most important promise we, Liberal Democrats, made in the 2010 general election manifesto – that no one should have to pay any income tax until they earn more than £10,000.
Raising the Income Tax threshold is a key Liberal Democrat commitment that the Coalition Government is implementing. The increase of £1100 is worth £220 next year – taking the total income tax cut for working people delivered by the coalition to nearly £550 a year.
With the allowance rising to an historic high of £9205 next April 2013, we are within touching distance of are goal that to take the first £10,000 people earn out of income tax completely.
As well as the tax cuts for many highlanders announced in the Budget, we have confirmed that to support growth and investment, the Government will make 100% capital allowances for plant or machinery investment available to designated sites within the new Scottish enterprise zones – including the Nigg site on the Cromarty Firth. I hope that the breaks will encourage investment in the renewable industry at Nigg
Following a long running campaign I am delighted we were able to secure a VAT cut on ski lifts of 5per cent in the budget - providing real help to the industry and ensuring that Scotland is on a level playing field with other European ski resorts. This is an issue I have been campaigning on since I was first elected in 2005. It’s great to able to declare the change now.
I believe that as Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government, we are doing the right thing to clear up the mess Labour left behind, making sure the wealthiest pay their fair share by clamping down on tax avoidance, introducing a ‘tycoon tax’ and putting an end to stamp duty dodging by the super rich. While ensuring the hardest working families in the UK are able to benefit from a fairer tax system.
A Highland welcome to the Olympic torch
I am looking forward to welcoming the Olympic Torch to our area on its journey across the UK. I was lucky enough to hold the Olympic torch at a recent event in Parliament whilst being told of the various events happening up and down the country to celebrate the passing of the torch.
On June 9 there will be an evening celebration in Inverness to celebrate the torch coming to the Highlands and I hope many of you will come down to support this once in a lifetime opportunity.
It is a great opportunity, not only for those who have the honour of carrying the torch but for all of us to connect with the Olympics here in the Highlands.
The flame is to travel for 70 days and roughly 8,000 miles around the UK giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine a light on the best their area has to offer.
I hope it will give us a chance to showcase the Highlands, and that many of the travellers to the UK for the Olympics will also take the chance to see the Highlands.
Posted on: 26/03/2012
