Thursday 19 August 2010

LibDems in government: 880,000 people out of income tax

One example of the influence of the Liberal Democrats on the coalition was recently pointed out to me. The first step on the way to the Liberal Democrat policy of lifting the income tax threshold to £10,000 was announced in the emergency budget. This first step increased the tax allowance by £1000 to £7475.

Despite the tight budget constraints left by Labour this first step will lift 880,000 out of paying income tax. It also is a step towards breaking the situation where some people end up worse off if they start work than if they stay on benefits.

The tax cut in the Conservative manifesto was an inheritance tax break for millionaires. The Liberal Democrats have made a real difference here.

2 comments:

Mike said...

...by cutting a progressive tax and forfeiting billions of pounds, of which the majority goes to the incomes of the middle and rich.

"Here's an extra £50, you poor, instead of a welfare state."

Steve Tierney said...

Plenty of Conservatives, myself included, supported that policy too.

I'd like to go further, actually.

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