Lib Dems Propose Tax Cuts to Benefit Thousands of York Residents

4.15.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Apr 2009

Thousands of people in York and the surrounding villages will be taken out of income tax altogether by new tax proposals launched by the Liberal Democrats. And thousands more will see their income tax bill slashed by £700 a year.

Nick Clegg and Madeleine Kirk

The plans were launched by Party Leader Nick Clegg, who visited York in October, on 20th April who said that they would boost family budgets battered by rising food, power and transport prices. The plans call for the personal tax allowance to be raised to £10,000.

Madeleine Kirk, who is standing for the Lib Dems in the new York Outer constituency at the next general election, said: "Thousands of families on low income in York and its villages will benefit from this tax cut. They will be lifted out of income tax altogether.

"People earning over £10,000 will pay £700 less income tax a year, paid for by ending the loopholes and tax avoidance schemes used by the wealthy and big corporations.

"Ordinary people are struggling because of the recession. I am contacted frequently by residents across York who tell me so. Many of the people who returned my recent cost of living survey were also concerned with their tax burden. I raised this with Nick Clegg when we discussed the first findings of my survey. Now is the time to make a far reaching and permanent change to the tax system that benefits those on low and middle incomes. Liberal Democrats want to see more money left in the pockets of ordinary people rather than taken away by the Government.

"Here in York Outer Liberal Democrats will be going into the European Elections in June, and the general election beyond, committed to a lasting income tax cut."